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Parentless Meaning in English

word

ˈpɛɹənt.ləs
PAIR-uhnt-luhs
ˈpeərəntləs
PAIR-uhnt-luhs

Definition

Describes someone, usually a child, who does not have living parents. It can also refer to animals or things that lack parents.

Usage & Nuances

More formal and less common than 'orphan'. Used in legal, literary, and animal rescue contexts. 'Parentless' is strictly literal—does not include emotional distance; it means no parents are living or present at all.

Example Sentences

The shelter cares for many parentless children.

basic

He felt sad for the parentless kitten.

basic

A parentless boy stood alone in the crowd.

basic

After the accident, she became parentless overnight.

natural

Some wildlife centers rescue parentless animal babies.

natural

Being parentless shaped much of his early life and decisions.

natural