kid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kid" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as an informal term for a child or young person. Example: "The kid next door is always playing soccer in the yard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a few coaching changes, Townsend is currently under the tutelage of Donald Young's father, Donald Young Sr .It's a Chicago connection between two families who have known each other forever; the Youngs were involved in Townsend's coaching when she was a kid.

The Guardian - Sport

But what took me by surprise was the appearance of this 19-year-old kid who at that time nobody knew.

The Guardian - Music

My mum and dad have loved watching me play football all of my life, even when I was a kid, so it'd been hard for them not being able to come and watch.

The Guardian - Sport

Here's how I imagine that I'd imagine the discussion would have gone: Hey kid, you can't be late, so I have to have this 'meeting' with you, but you and I both know that if it wasn't for your bat I'd be sipping margaritas by my pool in Indiana right now, so just be patient here and go through these motions with me, OK? Oh, and don't worry about that fine, I got it.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's really unfair of a parent to stand over a kid like this".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Try giving a kid a biscuit and explaining that, since it's already eaten so many biscuits, it has to give 40% of that biscuit to someone else.

The Guardian

I think one jumped on me when I was a kid and it stuck with me that he wasn't my friend.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Think back to 2009 and much has changed: there was no such thing as an iPad, Ed Sheeran was just a ginger-haired kid from Yorkshire, and homes in London were changing hands for less than £300,000.

The Guardian - Money

Almería beat Real Sociedad 4-3 in a crazy match that was the start of their bid for survival: the victory pulled them out of the relegation zone and was decided with a 91st-minute goal by an 18-year-old kid called Hicham Khaloua, who was making his debut and had only been on the pitch for four minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

Giles responded to Shaw's comments in parliament and accused it of "politicis[ing] the argument of services in TC rather than focus[ing] on the kid".

The Guardian

It's safe to say that they don't exactly handle the song with kid gloves.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal audience, consider using more formal alternatives to "kid", such as "child" or "young person".

Common error

Avoid using "kid" in academic papers or professional reports where a more formal tone is required. Opt for "child", "young person", or "adolescent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "kid" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a young person or child. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to joke or tease someone, as illustrated by Ludwig AI's examples. As a noun, it commonly appears as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kid" is a common and generally acceptable term for a child or young person, primarily functioning as a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it can also be used as a verb meaning to joke. While widely used in informal and news contexts, more formal alternatives like "child" or "young person" are preferred in academic or professional writing. The frequency of "kid" in news sources, as highlighted by Ludwig, demonstrates its mainstream acceptance, but writers should be mindful of the context and audience when choosing this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

child

A more formal and general term for a young person.

youngster

An informal term, often used to describe an energetic or lively young person.

youth

Refers to young people collectively or the state of being young.

teenager

Specifically refers to someone in their teens (13-19 years old).

minor

A legal term for someone under the age of majority.

juvenile

Often used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a young person.

offspring

A biological term referring to a child or descendant.

tot

An informal term for a very young child, especially one who is learning to walk.

tyke

A colloquial term, often used affectionately to describe a small child.

nipper

A British slang term for a small child.

FAQs

What is a more formal alternative to "kid"?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "child", "young person", or "adolescent".

When is it appropriate to use the term "kid"?

The term "kid" is appropriate in informal settings, casual conversations, or when writing for a general audience where a relaxed tone is acceptable. It is also commonly used in news media and entertainment.

What are some other slang terms for "kid"?

Some slang terms for "kid" include "tyke", "nipper" (British slang), or "tot" (for very young children).

Is "kid" an offensive term?

Generally, "kid" is not considered offensive. However, context matters. In certain situations, particularly when addressing someone directly, using "kid" might be perceived as condescending. Using "child" might be more appropriate in such instances.