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Definitions

orphan

[awr-fuhn] / ˈɔr fən /
NOUN
child without parents
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Published in 1978 as the third novel in Butler’s “Patternist” series, “Survivor” follows Alanna, a biracial orphan who is adopted by religious missionaries fleeing a plague-ravaged Earth in search of a new home.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

An orphan himself, Lucas is horrified by the idea that Claire will be separated from her baby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

My own grandmother came here as an orphan when she was 6 or 7 years old.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

They moved on to the titular boxer in "Creed," tormented by his father's legacy, and the villainous Killmonger of "Black Panther," traumatized by being an orphan in a racist world.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Jule read the two orphan books Immie had put on her bedside table, and everything else Immie brought home for her.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart




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