childless
childless — adjective
1. describes someone or a couple who do not have any sons or daughters, whether bec
describes someone or a couple who do not have any sons or daughters, whether because they decided not to have them or because circumstances prevent it.
After years of trying, the Watanabes accepted being a childless couple.
attributive use before 'couple'
The charity offers financial help to childless families who are pursuing fertility treatments.
attributive use before 'families'
In Aiko's novel, a childless woman finds new purpose by mentoring young sculptors.
Many childless adults in the neighbourhood volunteer at the local after-school club.
- childfree
describes someone who has actively chosen not to have children; carries a positive, intentional connotation, unlike childless which is neutral or sorrowful
- barren
strongly negative and dated when applied to people; now considered offensive in that context — use only for land or soil
- without offspring
clinical, formal tone; mostly used in legal or medical writing
- parent
a person who has one or more children
用法筆記
Childless often carries a neutral or slightly wistful tone, implying an absence that may not have been chosen. The newer term childfree (see synonyms) deliberately signals a positive choice and should not be used when the person wanted but could not have children.