An orphan is a child whose parents have died. The word comes from ancient Greek and has been used for thousands of years to describe children who must grow up without their mother and father.

Throughout history, orphans have faced special challenges since they lack the natural protection and support that parents provide. Many societies developed orphanages (special homes where orphans could live together) or foster care systems to help care for these children. In classic stories like Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden, orphaned main characters must find new families or guardians who can raise them.

Sometimes people use orphan more loosely to describe a child who has lost just one parent, though technically that child would be “fatherless” or “motherless.” The word can also describe things that have been abandoned or left alone: an orphaned paragraph in a book is one separated from the rest of its section, and wildlife rescuers care for orphaned animals whose mothers have died.

Many orphans have grown up to accomplish remarkable things, finding love and support from adoptive families, relatives, teachers, or mentors who step in to help guide them.