Phrase guide

kid glove

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A metaphorical representation of careful handling.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, plural-normally

Examples

  • to handle with kid gloves
  • He's usually very sensitive about this sort of thing; make sure you put on your kid gloves before you see him.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see kid, glove.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a glove made of fine soft leather (as kidskin)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: suede glove

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: glove

History

Etymology

From kid gloves (made from the skin of a young lamb or goat), a particularly fine, soft material.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: silkkihansikkaat — a metaphor for careful handling
  • German: Samthandschuh — a metaphor for careful handling
  • German: Glacéhandschuh — a metaphor for careful handling
  • Swedish: silkesvante — a metaphor for careful handling