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Definition of stepchild

stepchild

/ˈstɛpˌtʃaɪld/
step · child
Plural:stepchildren
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stepchild Lexical Profile

stepchild Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A child of one's spouse or partner from a previous marriage or relationship.

Example

"When they married, he welcomed her daughter into his home as his own stepchild."

2

A person, institution, or project that fails to receive proper care, funding, or recognition compared to others.

Example

"The arts department often felt like the neglected stepchild of the university budget."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

stent
step
stepbrother
stepchild
stepdad
stepdancing
stepdaughter

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'steopcild', which originally meant an orphan; the prefix 'steop-' stems from a Germanic root meaning 'bereaved' or 'deprived of a parent'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Stepchild. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/stepchild
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