What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stepchild
Example
She treats her stepchild as if they were her own. [stepchild: noun]
Example
He became a stepfather when he married his wife, who had a son from a previous marriage. [stepfather: noun]
stepdaughter
Example
His stepdaughter is an accomplished musician. [stepdaughter: noun]
Example
She became a stepmother when she married her husband, who had a daughter from a previous marriage. [stepmother: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stepchild is a more commonly used term than stepdaughter since it is a more general term that can refer to either gender and any age. However, both terms are used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stepchild and stepdaughter?
Both stepchild and stepdaughter are neutral terms that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
