babe

plural babes

1. literarypoeticA baby or infant; a very young human or animal.

   These events came to pass when he was but a babe.

   1 more example

   Though he possess sweet babes and loving wife, A home of peace by loyal friendships cheered, And love them more than death or happy life,

   1874, James Thomson, The City of Dreadful Night

   Synonyms: baby, child, infant

2. slangAn attractive person, especially a young woman.

   She's a real babe!

   1 more example

   During the 1980s, its vivid streetlife became a symbol of the “consumer socialism” that distinguished Hungary from other Eastern Bloc states, but Budapesters today are rather less enamoured of Váci: dressed-to-kill babes and their sugar daddies would rather pose in malls, and teenagers can find McDonald's anywhere, leaving Váci utterly dependent on tourists for its livelihood and bustle.

   2002, Charles Hebbert, Dan Richardson, The Rough Guide to Budapest, 2nd edition, London: Rough Guides, →ISBN, page 73

   Synonyms: hottie, looker

3. endearingA darling (a term of endearment).

   Hey, babe, how's about you and me getting together?

   2 more examples

   But, Babe, you don't have to meet 'em if you don't want to.

   1916 March 11, Charles E. Van Loan, “His Folks”, in Saturday Evening Post

   But they don't know that your sweet loving, babe Was here when all my friends were gone

   1968 December 8, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder, “I’d Be a Fool Right Now”, in For Once in My Life, performed by Stevie Wonder, Tamla Records

   Synonyms: darling, dear, love, sweetheart

1. A male given name or nickname

   Ruth was called “Babe” because of his youth (and baby face) when he signed with the Boston Red Sox in 1914 at age nineteen. He was also called “Bambino”—Italian for baby.

   2006, David C. King, Have Fun with American Heroes, Jossey-Bass, page 77