# pacifier

/ˈpæsəˌfaɪɝ/ (US) · /pˈæsɪfˌaɪə/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pacifier
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

a small rubber object that a baby sucks on to feel calm and stop crying.

For teachers: a rubber or silicone nipple given to an infant to suck on for soothing or to encourage sleep.

## Examples

- The baby sucks her pacifier to fall asleep.
- The tired parents searched the diaper bag for a clean pacifier to calm their crying son.
- In the quiet nursery, the infant finally settled, the soft rhythm of the pacifier marking the slow shift from restless crying to sleep.

## Synonyms

dummy

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.