What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infant
Example
The infant was sleeping soundly in the crib. [infant: noun]
Example
She gave birth to a healthy infant boy. [infant: adjective]
child
Example
The child was playing with his toys in the living room. [child: noun]
Example
She had a happy childhood filled with many fond memories. [childhood: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Child is more commonly used than infant in everyday language. Child is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infant is less common and refers specifically to the earliest stage of human development.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between infant and child?
Both infant and child can be used in formal and informal contexts, but infant may be more commonly used in medical or scientific settings.
