How do you pronounce stepchild?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈstɛp.tʃaɪld/.

Where does stepchild come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

stepchild

/ˈstɛp.tʃaɪld/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.19 in modern English

Syllables: step-child
IPA: /ˈstɛp.tʃaɪld/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The child of one's spouse from a previous relationship.

noun

A bereaved child; one who has lost father or mother.

Obsolete

Example Sentences

"On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” and in a lighthearted moment, explained — as she did during the last presidential election cycle — that in her blended family, her stepchildren affectionately call her Momala."
"Calculating the growth in stepfamilies isn’t simple, but a demographic analysis published last year estimated that about 16 percent of Americans over age 70 have at least one stepchild. […] Overall, stepchildren provide less care to older adults"

Etymology

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

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: stepchild, stēopċild

Usage

Obsolete

Inflected Forms

stepchildren (plural) step-child (alternative)

Derived Forms

stepchildhood

Phrases

red-headed stepchild half-sibling half-brother half-sister step-grandchild step-grandson step-granddaughter step-niece

Frequently Paired Words

half-sibling half-brother half-sister step-grandchild step-grandson step-granddaughter step-niece step-nephew

Synonyms

stepbairn stepkid step orphan

Antonyms

stepparent