child-free
adjective
variants
or less commonly childfree
: without children: such as
a
: not including or allowing children : excluding children
a child-free vacation
Create a 3-foot child-free zone around hot spots like stoves, turkey fryers and ovens …—
The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)
The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)I hoped most of the parents invited to the wedding would consider it a nice "date-night" evening to have with their significant others, child-free.—Morris (Illinois) Daily Herald
Morris (Illinois) Daily HeraldWhile there have been several U.S.-based petitions for child-free flights, the practice is less likely to seep over into the American market …—Veronika Bondarenko
Veronika Bondarenko
b
usually childfree
: not having children especially by choice
Where there was once the traditional nuclear family of 2.4 children, we are now seeing an increasing number of people in different family units, whether that be childfree families, single-parent families, step or even extended families.—Lara Bealing
Lara Bealing… choosing to be a mother and choosing to be childfree are both decisions worth celebrating because the celebration is in the fact that a woman chose the trajectory of her life.—Phoebe Robinson
Phoebe RobinsonAbout two years ago when a promising relationship failed, she resigned herself to not having children and embraced all that is good about being child-free.—Mike Bruce
Mike BruceThere are various reasons why someone would be child-free by choice. Some hold the political idea that with overpopulation and resource shortages, being child-free is the ethical choice.—Rachel Cargle
compare childless
Rachel CargleExamples of child-free in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Ritz Kids program offers fun diversions for children, including a popular Kids Night Out program in which children can have dinner, watch a movie, and play games while parents enjoy a child-free evening.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Research lower-cost, child-free alternatives that might better suit her.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 7 June 2026
Alternatively, research lower cost, child-free alternatives that might better suit her.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
There are contemporary options in the main hotel building, child-free quiet zones, beautifully sleek suites with plunge pools and private gardens, and even a villa with private pool that houses up to seven guests.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Ray and Cusimano are still going strong and happily living child-free.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
Another 46% of people said romantic dining environments should be child-free.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Being forced to parent his child sours Danny’s attitude during the outing to the amusement park, while Nia embraces the rare child-free moment.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
King credits her ability to be supportive of the kids and mothers in her ethos to her decision to remain child-free.
—Ashley Simpo, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
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Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Research lower-cost, child-free alternatives that might better suit her.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 7 June 2026
Alternatively, research lower cost, child-free alternatives that might better suit her.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
There are contemporary options in the main hotel building, child-free quiet zones, beautifully sleek suites with plunge pools and private gardens, and even a villa with private pool that houses up to seven guests.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Ray and Cusimano are still going strong and happily living child-free.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
Another 46% of people said romantic dining environments should be child-free.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Being forced to parent his child sours Danny’s attitude during the outing to the amusement park, while Nia embraces the rare child-free moment.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
King credits her ability to be supportive of the kids and mothers in her ethos to her decision to remain child-free.
—Ashley Simpo, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Child-free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/child-free. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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