crib

USAGE SUMMARY

"crib" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun which can refer either to a baby's bed, or a house on a small scale. For example: "After spending days searching for the perfect crib, they finally found the one they wanted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have no idea now where I got all this, except for the Norse myths, which came from a turn-of-the-century book, Asgard and the Gods, bought by my mother as a crib for her ancient Norse and Icelandic exams at Cambridge.

The Guardian - Books

Although I still don't know the why of it, it seems this one comes from a Jewish tradition where tying a red ribbon around a crib was believed to protect a baby from The Evil Eye.

The Guardian

Or the video monitor you normally use to keep an eye on your baby in her crib?

The Guardian - Opinion

And now there's a baby around, it's diaper/nappy (ble), burp (bøvse), pacifier/dummy (sut), crib (vugge), baby carriage/pram (barnevogn) and so on.

The Economist

The Supreme Court spends a lot of time on issues such as whether a Christmas crib in a public place can be rendered secular by the presence of a plastic reindeer (yes, though preferably with a Santa as well), or where a state court can display the Ten Commandments (the garden is fine; the building not).So the detail is messy, but the First Amendment still achieves its two goals.

The Economist

Like bad fairies around the crib of a princess, the euro's founders blessed a currency union that contained the seeds of its own doom; unlike other big monetary unions (eg, America), the euro is not an economic union, and still less a political union.

The Economist

Not so colour-blind Keynes in reverse Time to fold No crib for a bed Gently does it Obama, the worried warrior ReprintsA failed Mexico would have incalculable consequences for America.

The Economist

For one thing, these precocious cognitive benefits have been demonstrated so far only in "crib" bilinguals those living in households where two languages are spoken routinely.

The Economist

Not so colour-blind Keynes in reverse Time to fold No crib for a bed Gently does it Obama, the worried warrior Reprints Related items The surge in Afghanistan: The perils of keeping everybody happyDec 3rd 2009It may be that Mr Obama's strategy will work.

The Economist

I reached for my handy crib sheet with their names and correct job titles... and could not find it.

The Economist

With a room full of bigwigs blinking expectantly, I began to introduce them off the top of my head, while still hunting with one hand for the crib sheet, which I was sure I had tucked into my notebook.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, be specific when using "crib" to mean a "crib sheet" for exams; consider using "cheat sheet" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "crib" in formal or professional writing when referring to a baby's bed; "cot" or "bassinet" are often more appropriate. Using "crib" in academic or business settings to mean "crib sheet" might be misunderstood; prefer "cheat sheet" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crib" is as a noun, referring to a baby's bed or, informally, to a house or residence. Ludwig provides various examples showing this usage in context. It can also function as a verb, meaning to steal or plagiarize.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "crib" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun, referring to a baby's bed or, informally, a house, as Ludwig confirms. Its usage varies from neutral when discussing infant furniture to informal when describing a residence. While grammatically correct and very common, context is key. Ludwig's examples highlight its prevalence in news and media and encyclopedias, demonstrating its broad applicability. When used as a verb it indicates stealing or plagiariazing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cot

A more common term, particularly in British English, referring to a baby's bed.

bassinet

Specifically refers to a small bed for newborns, often with carrying handles.

berth

A sleeping place on a ship or train, sharing the sense of a confined sleeping space.

manger

Specifically a feeding trough, but shares the association with the Nativity scene.

crib sheet

Refers to notes used for cheating or as a memory aid, shifting the context to academic dishonesty or preparation.

cheat sheet

An informal term for a "crib sheet", typically used in academic or professional contexts.

dwelling

A general term for a place of residence, applicable when "crib" refers to a house.

residence

A more formal term for a house or dwelling.

hovel

Referring to a small, wretched living space.

steal

When used as a verb that is synonym of crib.

FAQs

How to use "crib" in a sentence?

You can use "crib" to refer to a baby's bed, as in "The baby is sleeping soundly in his crib". It can also refer informally to a house or residence, as in "Come hang out at my crib tonight".

What can I say instead of "crib" (baby's bed)?

Alternatives include "cot" (British English), "bassinet" (for newborns), or "cradle".

What's the difference between "crib" and "cot"?

"Crib" and "cot" are often used interchangeably to refer to a baby's bed. However, "cot" is more common in British English, while "crib" is more common in American English.

Is it correct to use "crib" to refer to someone's home?

Yes, it's an informal usage. Similar to saying "pad" or "digs", "crib" can refer to someone's home. This usage is generally limited to casual conversation or informal writing.