children

Two children play with a red ball in a sunny park.

Definition

1. Noun (plural of ):
   • Young human beings: "children" refers to individuals in the early stages of life, typically from infancy to adolescence, before they reach adulthood.
   • Offspring: "children" can also mean the sons or daughters of a parent or parents, regardless of age.

Usage Examples

• Young human beings:
  • The children are playing in the park. (Young individuals are enjoying recreational activity outdoors.)
• Offspring:
  • She has three children, all of whom are now adults. (She has three sons or daughters, who are grown up.)

Advanced Usage

• "Children of something": used metaphorically to indicate people who are products or results of a particular time, place, or condition.

  • We are all children of the digital age. (We are products of the modern technological era.)

• "Children's children": a formal or poetic way to refer to grandchildren.

  • He hoped to see his children's children before he died. (He wished to meet his grandchildren.)

Variants and Related Words

• Child (n): singular form of "children."

  • A single child sat alone on the bench. (One young person was seated by themselves.)

• Childhood (n): the state or period of being a child.

  • Her childhood was full of happy memories. (Her early years were joyful.)

• Childish (adj): characteristic of a child, often in a negative sense (immature).

  • His childish behavior annoyed the teacher. (His immature actions caused irritation.)

• Childlike (adj): having qualities typical of a child, often positive (innocent, trusting).

  • She had a childlike wonder about the world. (She possessed innocent curiosity.)

Synonyms

• Youngsters: informal term for children.

  • The youngsters ran across the field. (The children ran across the field.)

• Kids: very informal, common synonym.

  • The kids are excited about the trip. (The children are enthusiastic about the journey.)

Related Idioms

• "To be with child": an archaic or formal phrase meaning to be pregnant.

  • She was with child for the first time. (She was pregnant for the first time.)

• "From a child": meaning since childhood.

  • He has loved music from a child. (He has loved music since he was young.)

• "Burnt child dreads the fire": a proverb meaning that a person who has had a bad experience will be cautious about similar situations in the future.

  • After falling off his bike, he was hesitant to ride again — a burnt child dreads the fire. (His past injury made him fearful of repeating the experience.)