orphan
noun
a child who has lost both parents through death, or, less commonly, one parent.
orphans
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pluralof orphan.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
-
present tense formof orphan (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
But mainstream culture’s best-known Green Lanterns aren’t orphans or troubled.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
Being raised by another sea otter rather than a human gives Sunny — like other orphans — the best chance of learning essential skills, he added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
Opened in 1873, the privately operated detention facility housed petty delinquents and orphans, said Marc Schindler, a professor at Georgetown who leads the project.
From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026
Medical schools received hanged criminals and deceased orphans, but demand greatly outstripped supply.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026
“That sounds easy,” Violet agreed, and the Baudelaire orphans looked at one another.
From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket
