Cool MateChild vs Infant
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Child
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Infant
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Child
| Child | Infant | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/tʃaɪld/","/ˈtʃɪldrən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʃaɪld/","/ˈtʃɪldrən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪnfənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪnfənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | A young human who is not yet an adult. | A very young baby, usually under one year old. |
| Example | The child played happily in the park. | The infant was fast asleep in the cradle. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | little, small, young, have, bear, give birth to, be born, develop, grow, actor, bride, soldier, with child, little, small, young, have, bear, give birth to, be born, develop, grow, actor, bride, soldier, with child | young, month-old, two-month-old, breastfeed, feed, nurse, death, mortality, child, sudden infant death syndrome |
| Antonyms | adult, grown-up | adult, grown-up |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'children' — remember 'child' is singular., Using 'child' to refer to pets or animals., Mispronouncing it as 'chaild' instead of 'child'. | Confusing infant with toddler, which refers to a slightly older age range., Using 'infant' when talking about older children., Incorrectly applying the term in non-medical contexts. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used to refer to anyone under the age of 18. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but can sound out of place in discussions about adults or professional settings. | Used in everyday conversation and in medical contexts. Generally appropriate when discussing babies or child development. Avoid in casual settings where relaxed language is used; 'baby' might be more common. |
Frequently asked questions: Child vs Infant
What's the difference between Child and Infant?
Child: A young human who is not yet an adult. Infant: A very young baby, usually under one year old.
Which is more common: Child and Infant?
Child is the most common in everyday English.
Are Child and Infant the same CEFR level?
Child: A1, Infant: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Child and Infant interchangeably?
Not always. Child and Infant are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.