kiddie

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a young child; an informal and sometimes affectionate term

   The museum has a playroom where the kiddies can build model bridges.

2. 2
   adj

   intended for or associated with young children

   The hotel keeps the kiddie pool separate from the deep swimming area.

Formed from kid + the affectionate or diminutive suffix -ie. Kid originally meant a young goat and developed the informal sense "child"; kiddie reinforces that familiar, often affectionate tone.

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