l’orphelin
orphan
C'est un enfant qui n'a plus ses parents.
Definition & meaning
Orphelin means orphan: a child whose parents have died. It can refer more specifically to someone who has lost one parent, as in “fatherless” or “motherless.”
It is also used figuratively for someone or something left without a person, group, or thing that once supported or belonged to it. For example, a project described as orphelin de financement is “without funding.”
Grammar & Word origin
Orphelin is a noun or an adjective. Its feminine form is orpheline (); the plural forms are orphelins and orphelines.
The word comes through Latin orphanus from Greek orphanos, meaning “without parents” or “bereaved.” It is not formed from smaller modern French words.
Synonyms & antonyms
There is no exact synonym in every context.
- Enfant sans parents () means “child without parents” and is a plain descriptive equivalent.
- Pupille () can refer to a child under the care or legal guardianship of another person or institution. Unlike orphelin, it describes a legal or care relationship and does not necessarily mean the child’s parents have died.
There is no direct antonym. Enfant ayant ses parents () is a descriptive contrast, not a single-word opposite.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “orphelin” part of your vocabulary.
Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
L'orphelin a trouvé une nouvelle famille accueillante.noun
The orphan found a new welcoming family.
Keep exploring French
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad