Kid vs. child: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Kid is more informal or colloquial, while child is a formal and standard term.
What they have in common
Both kid and child refer to a young human being.
Examples
kid
- The kid was playing in the park.
- She always took care of the neighborhood kids.
- I saw a kid riding his bike down the street.
child
- The child was enrolled in kindergarten.
- Each child in the class received a book.
- She is a bright child with a curious mind.
Which one is more common?
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