Word
childless
Phoneticschild·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtʃaɪɫdɫəs/
UK/tʃˈaɪldləs/
Definition
adj. having no children. You use this to describe a person or a couple who does not have any kids.
adj. having no children. Often used in demographic or sociological contexts to describe individuals or couples without offspring.
Examples
“The couple is childless by choice.”
“Many modern professionals remain childless to focus on their careers and personal travel goals.”
“The study examined how childless households in urban areas allocate their disposable income compared to families with multiple dependents.”
Examples
simple
“The couple is childless by choice.”
contextual
“Many modern professionals remain childless to focus on their careers and personal travel goals.”
complex
“The study examined how childless households in urban areas allocate their disposable income compared to families with multiple dependents.”
Usage
Typically used as a predicative adjective after 'be' or 'remain', or as an attributive adjective before a noun.
Real-World Examples
“When Zinari chooses to be childless, her husband, Hadiru, (Bayo Gbadamosi) cites religious law to take Nafisa as a second, fecund wife.” Etymology
From Middle English childles; equivalent to child + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/childless