Word
stepson
Phoneticsstep·son, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɛpˌsən/
UK/stˈɛpsən/
Definition
n. the son of your husband or wife's former partner. You use this word to describe the relationship between a person and their partner's child from a previous marriage.
n. the son of one's spouse's former partner. Refers to the legal and social relationship between a person and their partner's child from a previous union.
Examples
“He has a stepson who lives in another city.”
“The legal process of establishing a stepson's inheritance rights can be complex, especially if the biological parent has already made a will that excludes the new family.”
Examples
simple
“He has a stepson who lives in another city.”
complex
“The legal process of establishing a stepson's inheritance rights can be complex, especially if the biological parent has already made a will that excludes the new family.”
Etymology
From Middle English stepsone, stepsune, from Old English stēopsunu (“stepson”), from Proto-Germanic *steupasunuz (“stepson”), equivalent to step- + son. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Stäifsuun (“stepson”), West Frisian styfsoan (“stepson”), Dutch stiefzoon (“stepson”), German Low German Steevsöhn (“stepson”), German Stiefsohn (“stepson”), Danish stedsøn (“stepson”), Swedish styvson (“stepson”), Icelandic stjúpsonur (“stepson”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- 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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