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.
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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.
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
But when Berkley’s character makes a tragic exit from her story, I found myself mourning for the gleaming Valentino purse that she orphans.
From Salon ● Nov. 6, 2025
In a little over twelve hours, they were sneaking the orphans out of the city.
From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older
