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kiddo

kiddo

171 7.2
A friendly, informal way to call a child or young person
  • noun
  • /ˈkɪdoʊ/
  • Baby Talk
: nene
  • Hey, we're gonna make it, kiddo.
  • Hey, kiddo
  • Okay, kiddo
  • Hi, kiddo

Hey, America, come here, kiddo, come see your Uncle Joe.

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Examples

  • I have decluttered my entire life and my kiddo is on board as well.

  • Don't worry, kiddo, all we have to do is find that creek again, right?

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Hey, America, come here, kiddo, come see your Uncle Joe.

  • My my kiddo came a little early and it's been great and you guys have been great.

  • You gotta move on, kiddo.

  • "It's time, kiddo," my mother said, "that you learn how to pray."

    Fiction book (1997)
  • You know I'd love to, kiddo.

  • That's a good one, kiddo!

  • Then why don't we get with it, kiddo?

  • You should always be honest, kiddo; it's the best policy.

Synonyms

kid
vskiddo
  • Informal
∞ 1.0

A young person, usually a child

is closer to a warm direct form of address rather than a neutral label
child
vskiddo
∞ 1.0

A young person who is not yet an adult, often a son or daughter

is the informal affectionate way to talk to or about a young person
lad
vskiddo
  • UK
331 1.1

People use it for a boy or young man when they speak in a friendly way

is more affectionate and can address both boys and girls directly
kiddie
vskiddo
  • Informal
88 7.7

A young child

is similarly informal but feels more like direct affection when spoken
sonny
vskiddo
  • Informal
36 9.1

A friendly name people use when speaking to a boy or young man

is gender neutral and used for any young person in a friendly way
lil
vskiddo
  • Informal
33 9.8

A young or small person called in a friendly way

is similarly informal but more commonly used when directly speaking to someone
mijo
vskiddo
  • Informal
17 9.9

A kind word adults use to call a boy they care about

is equally warm but is used in general English without that Spanish nuance
boyo
vskiddo
  • Slang
14 9.9

A friendly informal word from Ireland and Wales for a boy or man

is more widely used across dialects as a friendly spoken address
sonny boy
vskiddo
  • Archaic
12 8.2

A friendly name adults use for a young boy

is more neutral in gender and more commonly casual and modern
young'un
vskiddo
  • Informal
12 9.3

A friendly way to say child or young animal

is more of a direct spoken address with clear warmth toward the person
bubby
vskiddo
  • Baby Talk
11 8.5

A loving name for a young boy or brother

is equally affectionate but applies to any young person, not only boys
muchacho
vskiddo
  • Informal
11 9.1

To call a young man or boy informally

is similar in friendliness but is not tied to a specific language background
kiddy
vskiddo
  • Informal
6 7.5

A young child

is a more directly affectionate spoken address
cholo
vskiddo
  • Philippine
3 9.9

A young boy or man called in a friendly way in the Philippines

is more general and not specific to any regional or cultural usage
boychick
vskiddo
  • Informal
2 9.9

A friendly word people use for a boy or young man

is broader and can address any young person, not only males
bub
vskiddo
  • UK
1 9.8

A baby or very young child

is similarly warm but is not limited to babies alone
kidlet
vskiddo
  • Informal
1 8.2

A small child or young goat that people talk about in a loving, informal way

is equally playful but often used more when actually talking to the child
bubs
vskiddo
  • Informal
1 8.6

A friendly, informal name for a child or close friend

is equally friendly but is often used more for children specifically
popsy
vskiddo
  • Informal
1 8.7

A friendly loving name for a child or someone you love

is similarly loving but is more familiar and casual in everyday speech
kidling
vskiddo
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A young child in old or local language

is modern and widely used as a friendly spoken address
bubber
vskiddo
  • UK
1 9.9

A very young child people speak to with love

is affectionate too but suits slightly older children as well
little dudelet
vskiddo
  • Slang
9.9

A small boy people call in a friendly, playful way

is also playful but is used more widely and seriously as friendly address

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

A person who is fully grown and no longer a child

How Affectionate

darling
  • Informal
∞ 1.0
kiddo
  • Baby Talk
171 7.2
little
  • Informal
10 1.0
kid
  • Informal
∞ 1.0
child
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

kiddo singular
kiddos plural

Etymology

Kiddo comes from the common word kid, which originally meant 'young goat' and then came to mean 'child'. The friendly ending -o was added to make the name warmer and playful, so kiddo is a loving or casual way to call a child or young person.