kid

1 of 4

noun

ˈkid 

1

: a young person

kids in high school

especially : child

a married couple with two kids

—often used as a generalized reference to one especially younger or less experienced

the kid on the pro golf tour

you poor kid

2

a

: a young goat

b

: a young individual of various animals related to the goat

3

a

: the flesh, fur, or skin of a young goat

b

: something (such as leather) made of the fur or skin of a young goat

gloves made of kid

kiddish

ˈki-dish 

adjective

kid

2 of 4

adjective

: younger

my kid brother

his kid sister

kid

3 of 4

verb (1)

kidded; kidding

transitive verb

1

a

: to deceive (someone) as a joke : to say untrue things to (someone) in a playful or joking way

It's the truth; I wouldn't kid you.

You've got to be kidding me.

I kid you not.

b

: to fail to admit the truth to (someone)

They're kidding themselves if they think they can win.

2

: to gently criticize or tease (someone) in a friendly or good-humored way

We kidded her about her old car.

intransitive verb

: to engage in good-humored fooling or horseplay

He was just kidding with you.

—often used with around

She enjoys kidding around with her friends.

kidder noun

kiddingly

ˈki-diŋ-lē 

adverb

kid

4 of 4

verb (2)

kidded; kidding

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young

—used of a goat or an antelope

Did you know?

Is the word kid slang?

Some people worry that kid, when used of a child rather than a juvenile goat, is either slang or too colloquial to merit acceptance in standard English.

The fact is that we have been using kid to refer to a child that is human, rather than goatish, for more than three hundred years now. The Oxford English Dictionary notes that although this word was considered “low slang” when it first began being used, it had entered “familiar speech” by the 19th century.

In contemporary English, kid is neither slang nor improper. It is, however, most definitely informal, so those writing professionally or in a formal register might prefer to use child.

Synonyms

Noun

• bairn [chiefly Scottish]
• bambino
• bud
• chap [Southern & Midland]
• chick
• child
• cub
• juvenile
• kiddie
• kiddy
• kiddo
• moppet
• sprat
• sprout
• squirt
• whelp
• youngling
• youngster
• youth

Verb (1)

• chaff
• jive
• joke
• josh
• rally
• razz
• rib
• ride
• roast
• tease

Examples of kid in a Sentence

Noun

She has to leave early and pick up her kids at school.

He has a wife and two kids.

I wish I could do something to help that poor kid.

Verb (1)

everybody's kidding me about my new haircut

he always kids around about his "wild and crazy" life as an accountant

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hudson's gallery also included Ryan Gosling, who first met Eva Mendes on a movie set in 2011 before welcoming two children together, and then a very-married Chris Hemsworth, who shares three kids with wife Elsa Pataky. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

In the book, Dave depicted Toph (short for Christopher) as a guileless kid, the personification of hope. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Liam always came on like the kid brother of the group, with his boyish air of vulnerability and eager-puppy live enthusiasm. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024

Rather than trying to control each step of the process, let your kid experiment with different ingredients and flavors. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 5 Sep. 2024

Verb

Just kidding — wave to earth is one of this year’s (barely) hidden gems, with almost eight million monthly listeners on Spotify. —Mars Salazar, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Oct. 2024

All kidding aside, people who are intentionally running ingredient households tend to prioritize fresh, whole foods and shop for meals, not snacks. —Suzanne Hayes, Parents, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Verb (2)

Middle English kide, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse kith kid

Verb (1)

probably from kid entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

1885, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1883, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kid

• I kid you not
• kid around
• kid glove
• kid leather
• kid oneself
• kid stuff
• new kid on the block
• whiz kid
• whizz kid
• with kid gloves

Kids Definition

kid

1 of 2 noun

ˈkid 

1

: the young of a goat or of a related animal

2

a

: the flesh, fur, or skin of a kid

b

: something (as leather) made of kid

3

: a young person : child, youngster

kiddish

ˈkid-ish 

adjective

kid

2 of 2 verb

kidded; kidding

1

: to deceive or trick as a joke

2

: tease entry 1 sense 2a

kidder noun