English Reference
noun · verb

kid

n. · v.
US /ˈkɪd/ UK /kˈɪd/ kid UK spelling kid's, kid's, kidded

  1. 01 A2 Elementary Informal

    n.a child or a young person.

    n.a child, adolescent, or young adult. Highly frequent in spoken English but less common in formal writing.

    Simple

    The kids were playing in the garden while their parents cooked dinner.

    In context

    The community centre provides various after-school programmes designed to keep local kids engaged in productive activities.

    adultgrown up
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a young goat.

    n.a juvenile goat; also refers to the leather made from its skin.

    Simple

    The farmer watched the young kid follow its mother across the field.

    In context

    The artisan used high-quality kid leather to craft the gloves, ensuring they were both soft and durable.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate Informal

    v.to say something that is not true as a joke.

    v.to engage in playful teasing or to make a joke, often by pretending something false is true.

    Simple

    I was only kidding when I said I was moving to another country.

    In context

    He realized his colleagues were kidding him about the promotion only after he saw them struggling to hide their laughter.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to try to make yourself believe something that is not true.

    v.to deceive oneself or others, often used reflexively to describe self-delusion.

    Simple

    You are kidding yourself if you think this project will be finished by tomorrow.

    In context

    The management was kidding themselves by assuming the market would recover without any significant changes to their strategy.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency ArchaicTechnical nautical

    n.a small wooden tub used by sailors for their food.

    n.a small wooden mess tub in which sailors received their rations.

    Simple

    The sailor filled his kid with the daily ration of stew.

    In context

    Historical accounts of life at sea often mention the communal kid from which the crew would share their humble meals.

Usage kids get

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated