English · Family & People
orphan
/ˈɔːfən/
[/ˈɔːfən/]
child without parents
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A child whose parents have both died.
Example
The kind couple adopted an orphan from the local children's home.
The kind couple adopted an orphan from the local children's home.
Etymology
From Greek "orphanos," bereft, via Latin "orphanus."
How & Where It’s Used
Refers to a child without living parents; common in literature.
Cultural Note
Many beloved novels, from "Oliver Twist" to "Anne of Green Gables," centre on orphans.