English Lexicon

Unwanted Child

/ʌnˈwɒn.tɪd tʃaɪld/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A child who is not wanted or desired by their parents or guardians.

    "Many unwanted children face significant challenges in finding loving homes."
  2. 2

    A term used to describe children who are abandoned or neglected.

    "The organization works to provide support for unwanted children in the community."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'unwanted' derives from the Old English 'unwantian', meaning 'to refuse or reject', combined with 'child', which comes from the Old English 'cild', referring to a young human being. The phrase reflects societal attitudes towards children who are not desired by their parents or guardians.

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