childless

adjective

child·​less ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ləs How to pronounce childless (audio)
: without children : not having a child or children
a childless couple
Some of the most active and happiest retirees I know are childless.David Rae
That's an outgrowth of the current program, which allowed states to expand to pregnant women, parents and childless adults with the administration's approval.Miami Times
Advisors usually distinguish between "childless" (no children today but perhaps tomorrow) and "childfree" (no children today or tomorrow)John Kador
When you're childless not by choice, Mother's Day can be a painful reminder of profound loss.Sian Prior
compare child-free
childlessness noun
Although society instructs us otherwise, parenthood or childlessness need not be the keystone of a woman's identity … Christine Pelton Hawkins
But neither is childlessness her clear preference: Things have simply worked out that way so far, and as she heads into her forties, she finds herself ruminating on the possibilities of it working out a little differently. Guy Lodge
Many of her fans recognized the mean-spirited nature of the tabloid response to her childlessness, and reached out on social media to support her. Jennifer Graham Kizer

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of childless was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near childless

Cite this Entry

“Childless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childless. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on childless

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!