Word
infancy
Phoneticsin·fan·cy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnfənsi/
UK/ˈɪnfənsˌi/
Definitions
01early childhood
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the time when a person is a baby, usually before they can walk or talk.
n. the earliest period of childhood, typically preceding the development of walking and speech.
“The doctor asked about the child's health during his infancy.”
“Research suggests that the bonds formed during infancy have a profound impact on emotional stability in later adult life.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the state; countable when referring to a specific period.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02early development
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the very beginning stage of a new idea, invention, or business.
n. the initial stage of development or existence of an abstract entity, technology, or organisation.
“Space tourism is still in its infancy and costs a lot of money.”
“While the technology was in its infancy, early adopters faced frequent system crashes and limited functionality.”
Usage
Commonly used in the prepositional phrase 'in its infancy'.
Antonyms
03legal minority
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. the legal state of being a child or under the age of full responsibility.
n. the state of being a minor in the eyes of the law, lacking full legal capacity.
“The contract was not valid because of the defendant's infancy at the time.”
“The court ruled that the agreement was voidable due to the party's infancy, as they had not yet reached the age of majority.”
Usage
Used as an uncountable noun in legal proceedings.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“But this summer I took a trip back to my old hometown for their Pride festival, a tradition still in its infancy.” “More screen time during infancy and around the start of school was linked to poorer academic performance and weaker working memory years later.” Etymology
From Middle English infancie, from Latin īnfantia (“infancy, early childhood; childishness”), equivalent to infant + -cy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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