B1nounsocietyrelationships
US/ˈɔːr.fən/
UK/ˈɔː.fən/
a child whose parents have both died
In context
The war left thousands of children as orphans.
She grew up as an orphan and was raised by her aunt.
The charity runs a home for orphans in the city.
Words that go with orphan
noun + noun
- war orphanHe was a war orphan who never knew his father.
noun + preposition
- home for orphansThe couple opened a home for orphans in their village.
- orphan ofShe is an orphan of the civil war.
verb + noun
- adopt an orphanThey chose to adopt an orphan from abroad.
- be left an orphanShe was left an orphan at the age of six.
adjective + noun
- young orphanA young orphan arrived at the farm one winter.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He is an orphan because his father died last year.Correct: He lost his father last year.