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babydoll

babydoll

1 8.3
A friendly informal name someone uses for a romantic partner
  • noun
  • /ˈbeɪbiˌdɔl/
  • Informal
translation icon : cariño
  • After a long day, I just want to be with you, babydoll.

Examples

  • Aw, come here, Babydoll.

  • Babydoll.

  • What up, babydoll?

  • Hang on, babydoll!

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Sugar, shug, sweetie, darlin', babydoll.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • No sweat, babydoll.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Babydoll, that's Amber, Blondie, and you've met my sister, Sweet Pea.

  • HANG IN THERE, BABYDOLL.

  • Calling me "babydoll," reminding me that I needed scotch tape in order to have bows on my head because I was bald as a baby, wanting to cook any number of my favorite foods like homemade waffles and homemade egg noodles... things she'd always done when I was a kid and later during visits.

    Blog text (7)
  • Hey, babydoll, I can't wait to spend the weekend with you.

Synonyms

baby
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
1.0

A word used to show love for a romantic partner

is more specifically used for young attractive partners in speech
darling
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
1.0

A person you love very much

is more informal and directly linked to youth and attractiveness
sweetie
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
558 2.8

A person you love or care for very much

adds emphasis on youthfulness and attractiveness when addressing
babe
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
308 8.1

A name you call someone you love

is similar but more clearly notes youth plus endearment
little lady
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
61 4.4

A woman or girl spoken to in a warm, slightly old-fashioned way

is less patronizing and more used as a flirtatious endearment
sweetheart
vsbabydoll
  • NSFW
19 4.7

An attractive, glamorous woman who draws attention

adds the function of directly addressing a partner affectionately
sweet pea
vsbabydoll
  • Baby Talk
8 3.0

A loving name adults use for a child or pet

is more targeted as a flirtatious address to an attractive young woman
mamacita
vsbabydoll
  • NSFW
7 9.9

An informal word for a good-looking woman used playfully

is similar but used more broadly for a romantic partner
poppet
vsbabydoll
  • Archaic
7 7.8

A small doll or a name for a sweet child

is used more often as a direct romantic or flirtatious address
mija
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
7 9.9

A warm name someone older uses for a daughter or close young woman

is less familial and more flirtatious toward a young attractive partner
chickie
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
5 9.1

An informal, friendly name for a girlfriend or young woman

leans more toward calling someone young and attractive romantically
honeybun
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
4 5.1

A name people use to show love for a partner, child, or pet

focuses more on romantic address toward a young attractive person
sweet young thing
vsbabydoll
  • Offensive
2 8.2

An attractive young woman often talked about in a kind way or as less grown-up

is similar but used sincerely as a personal term of affection
poochie
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
2 9.1

A loving nickname for a child or someone you love

is more specifically flirtatious and aimed at attractive young women
babycakes
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
1 8.6

A playful name for a boyfriend or girlfriend

is similar but also carries a stronger flirtatious youth focus
chicky
vsbabydoll
  • Slang
1 9.9

A friendly name for a young woman used to show that you like her

adds a stronger focus on attractiveness and romantic address
honeybunch
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
1 7.6

A loving name you use for someone you care about

is more likely used to address an attractive young romantic partner
minette
vsbabydoll
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A friendly name used for a young or attractive woman

is the same idea but also used for a romantic partner
popsy
vsbabydoll
  • Slang
9.9

An informal name for an attractive young woman sometimes used playfully for a father

is more clearly an endearment for a romantic partner
babby
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
9.9

A name someone uses to show love for a partner or close friend

highlights attractiveness and youth more than this general partner name
babs
vsbabydoll
  • Informal
9.9

A loving nickname for a baby or someone close to you

is more flirtatious and aimed at attractive young partners

How Affectionate

love
  • Informal
772 1.0
darling
  • Informal
1.0
babydoll
  • Informal
1 8.3
babe
  • Informal
308 8.1
dear
  • Informal
29 1.0

Surface Forms

babydoll singular
babydolls plural

Morphology

babydoll = baby + doll (semi-transparent) = baby + doll

The compound suggests smallness/cuteness from 'baby' + 'doll', but using it as an endearment for an adult is an idiomatic, metaphorical extension.

Etymology

Babydoll used as a pet name joins baby and doll, both words people use to show love, so calling someone 'babydoll' is like calling them a dear 'baby' or a sweet 'doll'.