What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unfathered
Example
The child was unfathered and had never met his biological father. [unfathered: adjective]
Example
The origins of the ancient artifact are unfathered and remain a mystery. [unfathered: adjective]
Example
Her unique writing style was unfathered and entirely her own. [unfathered: adjective]
orphaned
Example
After the earthquake, many children were left orphaned and without anyone to care for them. [orphaned: adjective]
Example
The abandoned puppy was orphaned and in need of a new home. [orphaned: adjective]
Example
The historical artifact was orphaned from its original context and now sits in a museum. [orphaned: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Orphaned is more commonly used than unfathered in everyday language. Orphaned is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unfathered is less common and may be considered outdated or archaic in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unfathered and orphaned?
Both unfathered and orphaned are typically associated with a formal or serious tone, as they describe situations of loss or separation.