Orphan: meaning, definitions and examples

Describes a child whose parents have both died. Often used in literature, social work, and discussions about adoption and child welfare.

• After the tragic accident, he was left an orphan.
• The orphanage took in orphans from all over the country.

An old-fashioned term for a child who has been abandoned by their parents and found by others. This term is rare and mostly used in historical contexts or literature.

• The parish took care of the foundling left at their gates.
• In the novel, the protagonist discovers they were a foundling raised by strangers.

In legal terms, this denotes a minor placed under the protection of a guardian by the court. Common in legal discussions and court proceedings related to guardianship.

• The court declared him a ward of the state.
• She was appointed guardian of her young ward.

Refers to a child who is living temporarily with a family other than their biological parents due to various reasons like neglect, abuse, or death of parents. This term is often used in social services and family law contexts.

• She has been a foster child for three years now.
• The agency placed the foster child with a loving family.

Used to refer to a child who has lost both parents, typically one who has lost them due to death.

• She was an orphan taken in by a loving family
• The war left many children as orphans

Used to refer to the young of certain animals like lions, tigers, bears, and other carnivores.

• The lioness watched over her cubs as they played
• A bear cub follows its mother through the forest

Typically used to refer to young dogs, but can also apply to young of certain other animals like wolves, seals, and some rodents.

• The dog gave birth to a litter of pups
• A wolf pup learns to hunt by watching its pack

Used to refer to the young of large mammals like cows, elephants, or whales. This word is typically used in farming or when discussing wildlife.

• The farmer took care of the newborn calf
• A mother whale often stays close to her calf in the ocean