What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
baby
Example
The baby is sleeping peacefully in the crib. [baby: noun]
Example
She loves playing with her baby brother. [baby: adjective]
infant
Example
The infant is being carefully cradled by its mother. [infant: noun]
Example
The doctor specializes in infant care. [infant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Baby is more commonly used than infant in everyday language. It is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts and is easily understood by native speakers. Infant, on the other hand, is less common and is often used in more specialized or formal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between baby and infant?
While baby is generally considered informal and casual, infant is more formal and is commonly used in medical or academic contexts.