infant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "infant" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a baby or very young child. For example: "The infant smiled up at her mother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Opening the bags of infant leaves of rocket and oak-leaf lettuce, basil and nasturtium, hot mustard and cool butterhead is a daily ritual that is as much a part of my life as a morning espresso.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All today's SocietyGuardian stories Can family support reduce Northern Ireland's high infant death rates?

The Guardian

On Tuesday they called for a national inquiry into infant cremations.

The Guardian

"The thing that bugs me is that allegedly the staff at the crematorium were so shocked every time they did a cremation with infant remains they told superiors," she said.

The Guardian

Next, he took on healthcare – with some of the worst infant mortality rates in the world, Sierra Leone's programme to abolish user fees for children under five and pregnant mothers was an ambitious and impressive programme of reform.

The Guardian

Poor maternal health, sexually transmitted infections, infant mortality, violence, abuse, illiteracy, isolation, psychological trauma and suicide are common among young brides.

The Guardian

"My infant daughter went blind after contracting measles from an unvaccinated child, and yet there's no braille version of this wonderful book for me to give her someday to explain to her how awesome the disease that took her sight away is," wrote one user.

The Guardian - Books

So crowded with offspring was the family portrait that the former Pennsylvania senator even carried one infant on his shoulders.

The Guardian

In another of the series she depicts a void in the mother's abdomen, where the infant had been.

The Guardian - Arts

The infant monster is smooth, eyeless and bulbous, both strongly foetal and absurdly phallic, with a row of silver milk-teeth and a lashing, segmented tail.

The Guardian - Film

But Kanye West's penchant for fancy cars means that developing infant West is likely to have a more exciting time getting around.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about child development or health, use "infant" to refer to the stage from birth to roughly one year of age for clarity and precision.

Common error

While "infant" is a correct term, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations where "baby" might sound more natural and less formal.

Linguistic Context

The word "infant" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a very young human being. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts, often related to health, development, and social issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "infant" is a noun referring to a very young child, typically between birth and one year old. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. With 56 real-world examples, it is most commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While "baby" serves as a more general and informal alternative, "infant" provides precision, especially in medical, developmental, or policy-related discussions. Be mindful of the context to ensure the most appropriate term is used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baby

A more common and general term for a very young child.

newborn

Specifically refers to a baby in its first weeks of life.

babe

An informal and sometimes affectionate term for a baby.

neonatal

Relates to the newborn period, often used in medical contexts.

young child

A broader term encompassing infants and toddlers.

toddler

Refers to a child who is beginning to walk, typically between one and three years old.

child

A general term for a young human being.

offspring

A more formal term for children, often used in biological contexts.

minor

A legal term referring to a person under the age of majority.

fledgling

Used metaphorically to describe something new or inexperienced.

FAQs

How do I use "infant" in a sentence?

You can use "infant" to refer to a baby or a very young child, as in "The infant was sleeping peacefully in its crib."

What are some alternatives to saying "infant"?

You can use alternatives like "baby", "newborn", or "babe" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "infant" and "baby"?

"Infant" is a more formal term for a very young child, generally between birth and one year, while "baby" is a more general term.

When is it appropriate to use "infant" instead of "child"?

Use "infant" when specifically referring to a very young child in the first year of life. "Child" is a broader term that can refer to anyone who is not an adult.