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What is the difference between entre kid, boy, child, children

When is it used?

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    Although the answers are correct, "kid" is gender-less, I have heard a number of times where some kids use the word "Kid" to mean specifically a boy rather than a girl. I heard it a few times watching gaming videos where someone asks if the player is a kid or a girl, and in the movie "The Witches" (with Chris Rock and Anne Hathaway) they keep correcting themselves when talking about Daisy, like they will say "She used to be a kid, I mean a girl" (in fact it was this movie that made me google to see if people are now changing it to mean only boys)
    – BillyNair
    Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 10:15

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A kid is any child, either a boy or girl or a baby goat. It's slang but in common usage.

A boy is a male child probably ten years or under, but not always. "The boys are going to the bar." It's a slang for men getting together to have fun. It's casual not literal. (You can substitute girl/s for boy/s and female for male.)

A child is a person, male or female, usually under ten, but it's flexible too. My 16 year old is still my child but she is not a child.

Children is simply the plural (more than one) of child.

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    Good addition, pointing out that "boys" can be used colloquially to refer to a group of men. However, I think "kid" only applies to baby goats. Other baby animals have their own terms, "puppy, kitten, calf, foal, lamb, etc."
    – Andrew
    Commented Jan 27, 2017 at 17:30
  • thanks, I'll edit. I wasn't sure but have just checked.
    – WRX
    Commented Jan 27, 2017 at 17:45
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    @Andrew Kid only applies to baby goats. Is that a joke??
    – Lambie
    Commented Jan 27, 2017 at 17:51
  • @Lambie among animals, I meant.
    – Andrew
    Commented Jan 27, 2017 at 17:56
  • @Andrew Yes, but that was not the collocation here.
    – Lambie
    Commented Jan 27, 2017 at 17:58
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Child

Someone usually under the age of 13.

Kid

Informal, somewhat equivalent to child. Can also be used to address someone much younger than you if you want to call attention to their age. Can also be used to refer to young goats.

Children

plural of child.

boy

A male child.

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  • Ha, I think the age might be cultural. We call after-tens: pre-teen(ager)s or teenagers.
    – WRX
    Commented Jan 27, 2017 at 17:14
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    Hence "usually", pre-teen is in common use for 10, 11, 12, but it is not unusual for someone to say the phrase "11 year old child". Someone who is 2 years old might also be called a "toddler", but "child" would still not be inappropriate as a label.
    – mstorkson
    Commented Jan 27, 2017 at 17:56

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