orphan
noun
a child who has lost both parents through death, or, less commonly, one parent.
orphaned
-
past participleof orphan.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof orphan.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
orphannouna child who has lost both parents through death, or, less commonly, one parent.
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 Greek army was orphaned, without provisions or protection, a very long way from home.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
The calf, which has been named Bumpy, was "just days old" when it became orphaned, according to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a charity whose keepers are now taking care of it.
From BBC ● May 6, 2026
Founded in 1977, the Sheldrick Wildlife is renowned for its care of orphaned elephants and rhinos, rescuing and reintegrating them into the wild.
From BBC ● May 6, 2026
When a pup strands on the Central California coast, federal and state wildlife officials respond to assess whether it is truly orphaned, said Brett Long, the Long Beach aquarium’s vice president of animal care.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
People kept bringing them to me: animals who had been orphaned and needed a home, animals who had been rescued from African markets.
From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall
