babe
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a name you call someone you love, like a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse.
a term of endearment used between romantic partners.
Simple“Hey babe, do you want to go out for dinner tonight?”
In context“She habitually addressed her husband as babe, a term of endearment they had used since their first year of dating.”
UsageCommonly used as a vocative to address a romantic partner directly.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a slang word for a person who is very physically attractive.
a person, typically a woman, perceived as being physically or sexually attractive.
Simple“He thought the new lead singer was a total babe.”
In context“The marketing campaign was criticised for relying on images of babes in bikinis rather than focusing on the product's actual features.”
Teacher's tipWhile common in casual speech, this can be perceived as objectifying or superficial depending on the context.
- 03 C1 Advanced
a baby; this is an old-fashioned or poetic way to say infant.
an infant or very young child; now largely restricted to poetic, religious, or literary contexts.
Simple“The painting showed a mother holding her tiny babe in her arms.”
In context“The poet described the babe sleeping soundly in the cradle, unaware of the storm raging outside the cottage walls.”
UsageMost frequently encountered in the idiom 'babe in the woods', referring to an innocent or naive person.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a famous nickname, most notably for the baseball player Babe Ruth.
a specific nickname or given name, most prominently associated with American cultural figures.
Simple“Babe Ruth is one of the most famous players in the history of baseball.”
In context“The legendary status of Babe Ruth ensured that the nickname became synonymous with power hitting in American sports culture.”