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Glite Dictionary
to toilet-train

to toilet-train

1 3.5
Teach a young child to use the toilet instead of diapers
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈtɔɪlɪt treɪn/
translation icon : entrenar para ir al baño
  • Parents often wonder about the best time to toilet-train their children.
  • years to toilet-train

Examples

  • Boys toilet train later than girls.

    Blog text (17)

  • We have also started to toilet-train Claire.

    Blog text (34)

  • It took me two years to toilet-train Richard, but he finally went to the bathroom.

    Stanley & Iris (1990)

  • After several months, I finally managed to toilet-train my son.

  • For many families, toilet-training can be a challenging process.

How Intensive

to toilet-train
1 3.5
to teach
∞ 1.0
to help
∞ 1.0
to encourage
∞ 2.3
to show
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

toilet-train infinitive
toilet-trained past
toilet-trained past participle
toilet-training present participle
toilet-trains third person singular

Morphology

toilet-train = toilet + train (transparent) = toilet + train

Meaning follows directly from 'toilet' + 'train' with 'train' meaning 'teach', so learners can compose the meaning predictably.

Etymology

Toilet-train comes from putting together toilet and train, where train means 'to teach', like when you 'train a dog'. So, to toilet-train is to teach a young child to use the toilet instead of diapers.