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Stepparent: meaning, definitions and examples

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stepparent

 

[ ˈstɛpˌpɛərənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

family relationship

A stepparent is a person who is married to one of the biological parents of a child but is not the child's biological parent themselves. Stepparents can play a significant role in a child's life, often taking on parental responsibilities and providing emotional support. The relationship may vary in closeness and dynamics, influenced by family situations, such as divorce or remarriage. In many cases, stepparents can form strong bonds with their stepchildren, contributing positively to the family unit.

Synonyms

bonus parent, stepfather, stepmother

Examples of usage

  • Her stepparent helped her through school.
  • He has a good relationship with his stepparent.
  • My stepparent introduced me to new hobbies.

Translations

Translations of the word "stepparent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 padrasto

🇮🇳 सौतेला माता-पिता

🇩🇪 Stiefeltern

🇮🇩 orang tua tiri

🇺🇦 прийомний батько

🇵🇱 ojczym

🇯🇵 継親 (けいしん)

🇫🇷 beau-parent

🇪🇸 padrastro

🇹🇷 üvey ebeveyn

🇰🇷 양부모

🇸🇦 أب بالتبني

🇨🇿 nevlastní rodič

🇸🇰 nevlastný rodič

🇨🇳 继父

🇸🇮 očim

🇮🇸 stjúpforeldri

🇰🇿 асыран ата

🇬🇪 წყვილი მშობლები

🇦🇿 övladlı bir ata

🇲🇽 padrastro

Etymology

The term 'stepparent' is derived from the combination of 'step', meaning 'to step in' or 'to take on a role', and 'parent', which refers to a biological or legal guardian of a child. The prefix 'step-' has Old English origins, coming from ' steop' which means 'bereft' or 'deprived', commonly used in historical contexts to denote relationships where one parent was absent, often due to death or divorce. The use of 'stepparent' in English language dates back to the early 17th century, when blended families began to be more common due to societal changes in marriage and family structures. It reflects the evolving dynamics of family, acknowledging that love and care can come from various family arrangements, not just biological ones.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,670 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.