Is There Such a Word as Orphans?

orphan Add to list Share. An orphan is someone who has lost both parents. Usually, we think of sad little children when we think of orphans, but anyone whose parents have both died is an orphan. A home for orphans is no substitute for a house with loving parents, even if they're adopted.

Can adults be called orphans?

Can Adults Be Orphans? In short, yes, an adult can also be an orphan. An orphan is typically defined as a child under the age of 18 who has lost one or both parents. When used in a broader sense, the word orphan applies to anyone who has lost their biological parents.

What is the real definition of orphan?

(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a child deprived by death of one or usually both parents He became an orphan when his parents died in a car accident. 2 : a young animal that has lost its mother feeding calves that are orphans.