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stepfamily

American  
[step-fam-uh-lee, -fam-lee] / ˈstɛpˌfæm ə li, -ˌfæm li /

noun

  • stepfamilies
    plural
  1. a family composed of a parent, a stepparent, and a child or children by a previous marriage.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of stepfamily

step- + family


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.

See Examples For:

But Bran doesn’t desire revenge against her stepfamily.

From New York Times ● May 17, 2022

My parents divorced when I was little and, as a kid, it bothered me that when I went to my father’s house, we had only grape jelly and white bread, presumably what my stepfamily preferred.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 19, 2022

In North Dakota, the Blackledges search for their grandson and his new stepfamily, the Weboys, following a trail of clues and small-town gossip that grows more and more ominous.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2020

I have never forgotten my husband’s half-sister, that little girl, and it’s always bothered me that he walked away from her as well as his stepfamily.

From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2017

My stepfamily was not invited to the wedding and had to celebrate, if they wished, in the streets with the rest of Frell.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

It also is a cautionary tale for the tens of millions of Americans in stepfamilies.

From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2025

Data show “nontraditional” families — those made up of single parents, single adults, cohabiting couples and stepfamilies — now outnumber “traditional” nuclear families in the United States.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2024

However, in stepfamilies, insecurities can emerge on all sides.

From The Guardian ● May 12, 2018

The plot of “The Juniper Tree” touches blazing questions about stepfamilies, children’s survival, parental damage, male charisma and female surrender.

From New York Times ● Feb. 2, 2018

And the fact that all same-sex households with children are either adoptive families or stepfamilies is confounded by the fact that same-sex couples don’t produce children accidentally.

From Slate ● Jun. 21, 2012

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