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kiddo

[ kid-oh ]

noun

, plural kid·dos, kid·does.
  1. Informal. (used as a familiar form of address.)


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Word History and Origins

Origin of kiddo1

First recorded in 1880–85; kid 1 + -o

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Example Sentences

Basically, this friend is a kiddo who seems to schedule with several people at once and then picks the plan that looks best.

Because of some of its limitations—no reverse mode, inability to sew thick fabrics like denim—it’s the perfect starter for a kiddo or newbie.

A compatible app means that protective parents can keep their kiddos safe from a distance.

It can hold up to 150 pounds, so multiple kiddos can take a ride.

A hanging component—as opposed to a dresser or other hard piece of furniture—is a good option if you want to store your kiddo’s stuff in the closet.

Sure, he rambled some, teared up and kept calling his wife “kiddo.”

It is the sweetest thing now you are mine and I am yours forever kiddo.

In this strange environment Tom was glad to hear the operator say, "H'lo, kiddo," just as he might have said it on the street.

I couldn't have proved—I mean—well, it isn't so easy to talk to Mr. Ellsworth as it is to you, kiddo.

Why, that was just what he was studyin' over; he was just puttin' that up to himself when he ran across the kiddo just now.

Say, kiddo, how did you find out what it feels like to be a lady?

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More About Kiddo

What does kiddo mean?

Kiddo is an informal way to refer to or address a child or a person who’s younger than the speaker. It can be used for a person of any gender.

It’s typically intended to imply familiarity or affection. It’s especially used as a familiar way to address one’s own child or grandchild.

Kiddo is most often used in greetings or friendly speech, as in Hey there, kiddo or We’ll get ’em next time, kiddo.    

Kiddo is also often used as a more informal synonym for kid, as in Grandpa is spending time with the kiddos down at the lake. 

Kiddo can sometimes be used to imply that a person is inexperienced or lacks wisdom, as in Look, kiddo, leave this one to the professionals.

Example: Are you ready for the trip to Disneyland with your dad, kiddo?

Where does kiddo come from?

The first records of the word kiddo come from the 1880s. It comes from kid, meaning “a child or young person,” and the suffix

Kiddo is an informal way to refer to or address a child or a person who’s younger than the speaker. It can be used for a person of any gender.

 

It’s typically intended to imply familiarity or affection. It’s especially used as a familiar way to address one’s own child or grandchild.

 

Kiddo is most often used in greetings or friendly speech, as in Hey there, kiddo or We’ll get ’em next time, kiddo.    

 

Kiddo is also often used as a more informal synonym for kid, as in Grandpa is spending time with the kiddos down at the lake. 

 

Kiddo can sometimes be used to imply that a person is inexperienced or lacks wisdom, as in Look, kiddo, leave this one to the professionals.


Example: Are you ready for the trip to Disneyland with your dad, kiddo?,
used to make informal words such as bucko and neato.

A person called a kiddo may not actually be a young person. It is not unusual for an older person to affectionately refer to their adult child as kiddo. However, it would be considered strange or rude for a younger person to address an older person as kiddo.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to kiddo?

  • kiddos (plural)
  • kiddoes (plural)

What are some synonyms for kiddo?

What are some words that share a root or word element with kiddo

What are some words that often get used in discussing kiddo?

How is kiddo used in real life?

Kiddo is often used as an affectionate word for a child or young person. But it can also be used to imply a person is inexperienced.

 

 

Try using kiddo!

Is kiddo used correctly in the following sentence?

You might be small now, but just wait a few years and you’ll be taller than your old man, kiddo.

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