infant
gb/ˈɪnfənt/ us/ˈɪnfənt/
A2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A very young baby
A very young baby who cannot walk yet.
Usage pattern:
an infant [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'infant' with 'toddler'; remember an infant cannot walk yet.
Synonyms
baby (Most common everyday term; slightly less formal than 'infant'.)
|
newborn (Specifically refers to a baby in the first weeks of life.)
Antonyms
adult (An adult is fully grown, opposite of an infant.)
|
toddler (A toddler can walk and is older than an infant.)
Collocations
newborn infant
|infant care
|infant mortality
|infant formula
|infant development
Themes
family
|health
|daily life
|daily_life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The infant was sleeping peacefully in her crib.
- Infant care requires patience and gentle handling.
- The hospital has a special unit for premature infants.
- Many vaccines are given during the infant stage.
- Infant formula is an alternative to breastfeeding.
Learner examples
- The infant is very small.
- She holds the infant in her arms.
- The infant sleeps all day.
- That infant is only three months old.
- We saw an infant in the park.
Grammar
Dictionary form
infant
IPA
GB/ˈɪnfənt/
US/ˈɪnfənt/
Syllables & stress
in - fant (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: infant
- Plural: infants
Word family
Forms
infants
noun
Core family
infancy
noun B2
Advanced or less common
infantile
adjective
infantilize
verb
Expressions
infant care
1/ˈɪnfənt kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
Looking after very young babies
The work of looking after and keeping infants healthy and safe.
Examples
- She took a course in infant care.
- Infant care can be challenging for new parents.
infant formula
1/ˈɪnfənt fˈɔɹmjulə/
fixed phrase
Milk substitute for babies
A special milk made for feeding infants instead of breast milk.
Examples
- Some parents choose to feed their baby with infant formula.
- Infant formula must be prepared according to the instructions.
infant mortality
1/ˈɪnfənt mɔɹtˈæləti/
fixed phrase
Death rate of young babies
The number of infants who die before their first birthday, usually given per 1,000 births.
Examples
- The country has reduced infant mortality through better healthcare.
- Infant mortality rates are a key measure of public health.
infant mortality
2/ˈɪnfənt mɔɹtˈæləti/
fixed phrase
technical
death rate among babies
The number of babies under one year old who die in a group in a certain time.
Examples
- Improved vaccination programs have reduced infant mortality worldwide.
- Infant mortality remains high in some low-income countries.
- Clean water and good nutrition are key to lowering infant mortality.