Infant
ˈɪnfənt
Definitions
2 meaningsA very young child or baby.
ˈɪnfənt
The parents carefully watched over their infant.
💡 Simply: An infant is a tiny baby, like the ones you see in strollers or cradles. They are usually too young to walk or talk, so they rely on their parents for everything. Think of your own little cousin or a baby in a movie—that's an infant!
👶 For kids: A baby is a very young child who can't walk or talk yet.
More Examples
The hospital provided special care for premature infants.
An infant's needs are often very basic: food, sleep, and comfort.
How It's Used
"The infant was sleeping peacefully in its crib."
"The pediatrician examined the infant's development."
In the earliest stage of development.
ˈɪnfənt
In the earliest stage of development; very young.
The infant company was struggling to find its footing in the market.
💡 Simply: When something is 'infant,' it's like it's just starting out. It’s at the beginning of its life or development. Imagine a tiny seed before it becomes a big tree, or a new company that's only just formed. That is the infant stage of something
👶 For kids: Very, very young. At the beginning of something.
More Examples
The project is still in its infant phase.
The infant stages of the disease are often difficult to diagnose.
How It's Used
"The company is still in its infant stages of development."
"The infant nation struggled to establish its independence."
Synonyms
From Latin *īnfāns* ('unable to speak'), derived from *in-* ('not') and *fāns* (present participle of *fārī*, 'to speak'). Originally referred to a very young child.
Historically, 'infant' was often used to describe children of noble or royal families.
Memory tip
Imagine a little *in* a *fant*astic cradle.