Stepchild
/ˈsteptʃaɪld/noun
The child of your husband or wife from a previous relationship.
Her husband has two stepchildren from his previous marriage.
Often appears as...
- her stepchild
- his stepchild
noun
Someone or something that is not given proper attention or care, or is treated as less important.
The field of child study has long been a stepchild of scientific research.
Often appears as...
- neglected stepchild
- forgotten stepchild
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The child of your husband or wife from a previous relationship.
Her husband has two stepchildren from his previous marriage.
Often appears as...
- her stepchild
- his stepchild
noun
Someone or something that is not given proper attention or care, or is treated as less important.
The field of child study has long been a stepchild of scientific research.
Often appears as...
- neglected stepchild
- forgotten stepchild
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Family Dynamics
Understanding that 'stepchild' can imply various family dynamics and relationships, not always negative.
As a stepchild, Tom felt fully integrated into the family.
Pro Tip 2/3Sensitive Contexts
The term 'stepchild' may be delicate; be aware of the emotional context when using the word.
She introduced Timmy as her stepchild, with a warm smile to make him feel included.
Pro Tip 3/3Parental Relationship
'Stepchild' specifically refers to a child's relationship to a step-parent, not a biological parent.
After the wedding, Mia became the stepchild of a kind man who treated her like his own.
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Quote examples
Grace Meng
American Politician
Queens is so often treated as a stepchild and labeled as an outer borough. At the very least, if I could help bring more attention to what we need, and what the federal government needs to do to improve the quality of life of people right here in Queens - any way that I can do that, I'm very happy to do that.
Quote examples
R. A. Salvatore
American Author
Science fiction is the ugly stepchild of mainstream literature, and fantasy is the ugly stepchild of science fiction, and tie-in novels are the ugly stepchild of fantasy... and on and on and on.
Quote examples
Jennifer Egan
American Novelist
I was a stepchild in two different families. The hardest thing about being a stepchild is you know that in some way everything would be easier if you didn't exist.
Quote examples
Adam Mansbach
American Author
Graffiti has an interesting relationship to the broader world of hip-hop: It's part of the culture, but also in a weird way a stepchild of the culture.
Quote examples
Steve Bullock
American Politician
Worker and worker protections, figuring out how someone can have a better shot in a global marketplace, has always been the stepchild of trade.
Quote examples
Yolanda Hadid
American Model
Being acknowledged and appreciated by your child and stepchild is the greatest gift for all the hard work we put in as parents.
Quote examples
Ronald D. Moore
American Producer
There was definitely a sense that 'The Next Generation' was the 'Star Trek' stepchild that nobody liked.
Quote examples
Travis Knight
American Producer
Stop-motion is sort of the redheaded stepchild of animation. But it's incredibly beautiful.
Quote examples
Evan Hunter
American Author
Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.
Quote examples
Chanel West Coast
American Musician
I feel like the red-headed stepchild of Young Money.
Quote examples
Grace Meng
American Politician
Queens is so often treated as a stepchild and labeled as an outer borough. At the very least, if I could help bring more attention to what we need, and what the federal government needs to do to improve the quality of life of people right here in Queens - any way that I can do that, I'm very happy to do that.
Quote examples
R. A. Salvatore
American Author
Science fiction is the ugly stepchild of mainstream literature, and fantasy is the ugly stepchild of science fiction, and tie-in novels are the ugly stepchild of fantasy... and on and on and on.
Quote examples
Jennifer Egan
American Novelist
I was a stepchild in two different families. The hardest thing about being a stepchild is you know that in some way everything would be easier if you didn't exist.
Quote examples
Adam Mansbach
American Author
Graffiti has an interesting relationship to the broader world of hip-hop: It's part of the culture, but also in a weird way a stepchild of the culture.
Quote examples
Steve Bullock
American Politician
Worker and worker protections, figuring out how someone can have a better shot in a global marketplace, has always been the stepchild of trade.
Quote examples
Yolanda Hadid
American Model
Being acknowledged and appreciated by your child and stepchild is the greatest gift for all the hard work we put in as parents.
Quote examples
Ronald D. Moore
American Producer
There was definitely a sense that 'The Next Generation' was the 'Star Trek' stepchild that nobody liked.
Quote examples
Travis Knight
American Producer
Stop-motion is sort of the redheaded stepchild of animation. But it's incredibly beautiful.
Quote examples
Evan Hunter
American Author
Mystery fiction was considered a stepchild of literature.
Quote examples
Chanel West Coast
American Musician
I feel like the red-headed stepchild of Young Money.
Example 1 of 10
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