English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English stepchild, stepchyld, from Old English stēopċild (stepchild), equivalent to step- +‎ child. Compare Dutch stiefkind (stepchild), German Stiefkind (stepchild), Swedish styvbarn (stepchild).

Pronunciation edit

  • Hyphenation: step‧child

Noun edit

stepchild (plural stepchildren)

  1. The child of one's spouse but not one's own.
  2. (obsolete) A bereaved child; one who has lost father or mother.

Synonyms edit

  • (child of one's spouse but not one's own): stepbairn (Britain dialectal, chiefly Scotland), stepkid (informal), step (colloquial)
  • (bereaved child): orphan

Antonyms edit

Hyponyms edit

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also edit

Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Old English stēopċild (stepchild); equivalent to step- +‎ child.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈstɛpˌt͡ʃiːld/

Noun edit

stepchild (plural stepchildren or stepchildre)

  1. stepchild (child of a spouse)
  2. (rare) orphan

Descendants edit

  • English: stepchild

References edit