Babygro

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A one-piece stretchy garment for infants that covers the body and legs, often with fasteners at the crotch for easy changing
2. A soft all-in-one outfit worn by babies as sleepsuit or romper, typically with press-stud closures along the bottom
3. Infant clothing combining a top and trousers into a single snug piece, commonly used for sleeping or everyday wear

Etymology: The name began as a trademark. "Babygro" is a brand name for a one-piece baby garment, built from the everyday words "baby" and "grow." The idea is literal: the outfit is meant to grow along with the child, so it is cut generously and fastened with poppers, letting it be worn for a longer stretch of infancy before a bigger size is needed. Because the word was registered as a brand, it kept its capital letter and its trademark identity. Over time, though, "babygro" has come to be used as a common noun for any such one-piece sleepsuit, much as "hoover" and "biro" once passed from brand to generic usage in British English. Its everyday meaning is therefore plain, but its origin is a commercial coinage rather than an old word.

Synonyms: babygrow, sleepsuit, romper