Waif: meaning, definitions and examples

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waif

[weɪf ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

lost child

A waif is a child who has no home or friends and who is often hungry or in need of help.

Synonyms

foundling, orphan, stray.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
waif	Often used to describe a thin, neglected child, especially one without a home or friends. It carries a sense of abandonment or vulnerability. The little waif wandered the streets, hoping for a kind soul to offer help. She found a waif-like girl hiding under the bridge.
orphan	Used to describe a child whose parents are deceased. It is a more general term and can be used in various contexts from casual to formal. After the accident, he became an orphan and was taken to a foster home. The story is about an orphan who overcomes great odds.
stray	Typically used for animals, especially pets, that have no home. It can also be applied to people in a metaphorical sense, though it can have a slightly negative connotation. They found a stray cat and decided to adopt it. He felt like a stray in the crowded city, with no place to call home.
foundling	Refers to an abandoned child who has been found and cared for by others. It often has historical connotations or is used in formal contexts. The orphanage took in a foundling they discovered at their doorstep. In history, many foundlings were left at church doors.

Examples of usage

She was a waif, with no family to take care of her.
The authorities found a waif wandering the streets alone.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

thin and fragile person

A waif can also refer to a person, especially a young woman, who is thin and delicate in appearance.

Synonyms

delicate, fragile, slender.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
waif	This term usually refers to a person, often a child, who is thin and appears neglected or homeless. It can evoke a sense of pity or concern. The waif stood alone on the street corner, shivering in the cold. She took in the waif, offering him food and shelter.
fragile	Choose this word to describe someone or something that is easily broken or damaged. It often carries a connotation of physical weakness or vulnerability. The fragile vase shattered into pieces when it fell. Her fragile health required constant care.
slender	This term is best used to describe someone who is thin in a graceful and attractive way. It often has a positive connotation. She has a slender figure that many admire. The slender branches of the tree swayed gently in the breeze.
delicate	Use this word to describe someone or something that is very fine, elegant, or sensitive. This can apply to physical appearance or emotional sensitivity. The delicate flowers were easily damaged by the storm. His delicate response to the criticism showed his emotional sensitivity.

Examples of usage

She looked like a waif, with her pale skin and slender frame.
The model had the waif-like beauty that was popular in the fashion industry.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'waif' meaning 'stray' or 'abandoned', first used in English in the late 14th century.
Originally, it was a term used in English law to refer to stray animals or goods, but shifted to denote people in need over time.
The term reflects a sense of being lost or without a protector, highlighting vulnerability throughout its history.

Literature

Famous literary characters often described as waifs include Oliver Twist from Charles Dickens' novel, portraying the plight of orphans.
In A.A. Milne's 'Winnie-the-Pooh', the character of Piglet can be seen as a waif, small and timid yet full of heart.
Modern novels and films often explore themes of waif-like characters to highlight issues of alienation and survival.

Psychology

Waif-like characters in stories are often used to stimulate empathy in readers, evoking feelings of compassion.
Research shows that vulnerable characters can influence audience perceptions and emotional responses to societal issues like homelessness.
The archetype may also serve as a metaphor for fragility in human experience, encouraging deeper connections with 'waifs' in real life.

Art

In visual art, waif representations often evoke pathos, showing subjects with exaggerated thinness to convey suffering.
Artists like Jean-François Millet portrayed waif-like figures to explore themes of poverty and the human condition in works like 'The Gleaners'.
Photographers in contemporary art frequently capture waif-inspired models to highlight issues around body image and societal expectations.

Translations

Translations of the word "waif" in other languages:

🇵🇹 criança abandonada

🇮🇳 परित्यक्त बच्चा

🇩🇪 verlassenes Kind

🇮🇩 anak terlantar

🇺🇦 покинута дитина

🇵🇱 porzucone dziecko

🇯🇵 捨て子

🇫🇷 enfant abandonné

🇪🇸 niño abandonado

🇹🇷 terk edilmiş çocuk

🇰🇷 버려진 아이

🇸🇦 طفل مهجور

🇨🇿 opustěné dítě

🇸🇰 opustené dieťa

🇨🇳 被遗弃的孩子

🇸🇮 zapustljen otrok

🇮🇸 yfirgefið barn

🇰🇿 тасталмаған бала

🇬🇪 მიტოვებული ბავშვი

🇦🇿 tərk edilmiş uşaq

🇲🇽 niño abandonado

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,113 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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30110 delightedly
30111 renumbering
30112 twirl
30113 waif
30114 cellphone
30115 forbore
30116 inflexion
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