bairn

Everyday

1. (Scotland, northern England) A bairn is a child or a baby. tree →
2. (Scotland) «Your bairns» means your children, your own family's kids. tree →

In the lessons

Used in Scottish and Geordie speech, in stories set in Scotland and in Scottish songs. It shows the speaker is Scottish or from the north of England and sounds warm and homely. «Wee bairn» means a little baby.

Examples

• The wee bairn is sleeping, so keep your voice down. tree →
• She's got three bairns and a dog. tree →
• Come here, bairn, and let me tie your lace. tree →
• Gran says all her bairns are grown up now. tree →
• The bairns are playing out in the garden. tree →
• «Haud yer wheesht, the bairn's sleeping,» said Granny. tree →
• And he began to sing, dancing round Tom, like a bairn with his yellow hair, but looking older than ever with his grinning wrinkled bit of a face: tree →

Note

Regional word (Scots); rhymes with «barn» but with a Scottish r. In standard English say «child» or «baby». Not rude at all; it is affectionate.