babe

noun

ˈbāb 

1

a

: infant, baby

b

slang : girl, woman

c

slang : a person and especially a young woman who is sexually attractive

d

slang

—used as a term of endearment

Hey babe. Welcome home.

2

: a naive inexperienced person

—used especially in the phrase babe in the woods

Synonyms of babe

• novice
• beginner
• rookie
• apprentice
• newcomer
• freshman
• virgin

Examples of babe in a Sentence

although I worked with film for years, I'm just a babe as far as digital photography is concerned

a babe in arms, too young even to crawl

Recent Examples on the Web

Interestingly, Sean McVay remains an NFL coaching babe at 40. — Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

And Weird Science would simply not work if the virtual babe, Lisa, was not played so perfectly by Kelly LeBrock with knowing mischief and surprising gravitas. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026

What turns him on is cryptic babes, brawling men and stagy fables of lust, rivalry and possession. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

This Society is only for the married women of Independence, sorry, babe. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing babe

• a babe in arms
• babe in the woods

Rhymes for babe

• gabe
• astrolabe

Kids Definition

babe

noun

ˈbāb 

: baby entry 1 sense 1a

a babe in arms