waif
Americannoun
-
a person, especially a child, who has no home or friends.
-
something found, especially a stray animal, whose owner is not known.
-
a very thin, often small person, usually a young woman.
-
a stray item or article.
to gather waifs of gossip.
-
Nautical. waft.
noun
-
a person, esp a child, who is homeless, friendless, or neglected
-
anything found and not claimed, the owner being unknown
-
nautical another name for waft
-
obsolete law a stolen article thrown away by a thief in his flight and forfeited to the Crown or to the lord of the manor
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of waif
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, originally “lost, stray (animal), unclaimed (property)” (compare Old French guaif “stray beast”), from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse veif “movement to and fro, something waving, flag”; see waive
Explanation
No matter how cold-hearted you are, it's tough not to feel sympathy for a waif — a neglected or orphaned child. From Oliver Twist to Harry Potter, literature is filled with stories of young waifs who persevere through hardship. In contrast to street urchins or ragamuffins, waifs are generally seen as wholly innocent victims of their situation. This fact may explain why waifs make such compelling literary protagonists. Who's going to root against a kind-hearted orphan? And who would admit it if they did?
Vocabulary lists containing waif
Esperanza Rising
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 14–18
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The day after she and her husband, Jack, sculpt the figure of a child out of snow, an ethereal waif emerges from the wilderness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
The trial heard him described as a "ruffian" and a "street waif" who never stood still.
From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2025
She is a philosopher of love, a comedian, a heartbroken waif and an artist beyond her years.
From New York Times ● Dec. 8, 2022
One might wonder whether the fictional narrative of the beleaguered waif in a judgmental small town is Owens’s way of addressing something in her own past.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 13, 2022
“In case you haven’t noticed, you waif, you are about to be hooked on the cowcatcher of that streetcar.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
