# orphanage

/ˈɔɹfənədʒ/ (US) · /ˈɔːfənɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/orphanage
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a home for orphans

noun · CEFR B2

a building or institution where children live if their parents are dead or cannot look after them.

For teachers: a residential facility providing care for children who have lost both parents or have been abandoned.

- The main character in the story grew up in a small orphanage in the countryside.
- During the nineteenth century, the city established a large orphanage to house children displaced by the industrial revolution.

Usage: Often used in historical contexts or when discussing international aid.

Teaching tip: In many modern English-speaking countries, this term is considered dated as children are now usually placed in 'foster care' or 'group homes'.

### 2. the state of being an orphan

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the condition of being an orphan.

For teachers: the state or condition of being an orphan; orphanhood.

- The old book described the boy's long years of orphanage and loneliness.
- The legal documents from the 1700s detailed the terms of the child's orphanage and the management of his inheritance.

Usage: This sense is almost entirely replaced by 'orphanhood' in modern English.

## Examples

- The local orphanage provides a safe home for many children.
- After the war, the city established a large orphanage to support the many children left without families.
- While modern social work often prioritizes foster care, historical narratives frequently depict the orphanage as a central setting for stories of resilience and personal growth.

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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.