# estranged

/ɛˈstɹeɪndʒd/ (US) · /ɛstɹˈeɪndʒd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/estranged
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

no longer close or friendly with someone, especially a family member. It describes a relationship where people have stopped talking to each other.

For teachers: describing a person who is no longer living with or on friendly terms with a spouse, relative, or close associate. Often used predicatively after 'become' or 'remain'.

## Examples

- He has been estranged from his brother for five years.
- After a long argument about the family business, the two sisters became estranged and did not speak for a decade.
- The novel explores the painful journey of an estranged father attempting to reconcile with his daughter after years of silence and mutual resentment.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is estranged with his family." but "He is estranged from his family." — The adjective 'estranged' collocations with 'from', not 'with'.

## Usage notes

- Typically takes the preposition 'from' to indicate the person or group no longer in contact.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.