parent
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for parent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who raises, cares for, or has legal responsibility for a child.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use parent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin parens, "one who brings forth," the present participle of parere ("to give birth to, produce").
Full origin of parent →Frequently asked questions
What does “parent” mean?
The word “parent” means a person who raises, cares for, or has legal responsibility for a child. In plain terms, a mother or father who raises a child, or more broadly, the source that something else comes from.
How do you pronounce “parent”?
“Parent” is pronounced PEH-uh-ruhnt (/ˈpɛəɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “parent” in a sentence?
Here is “parent” used in a sentence: “Both parents attended the school play.”
What part of speech is “parent”?
Depending on how it is used, “parent” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “parent” come from?
The word “parent” comes from Latin. From Latin parens, "one who brings forth," the present participle of parere ("to give birth to, produce").
Is “parent” a common word?
“Parent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “parent” have?
“Parent” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who raises, cares for, or has legal responsibility for a child.
What is the difference between a parent and a guardian?
A parent is usually a child's biological or adoptive mother or father. A guardian is anyone given legal responsibility to care for a child, who may or may not be related. Every parent with custody acts as a guardian, but a guardian is not necessarily the child's parent.
What are the types of parent?
Parenthood takes many forms: biological parents, adoptive parents, step-parents, and foster parents. The word covers anyone who raises or is legally responsible for a child, regardless of biology. What unites them is the caring, protecting, and guiding role rather than a single definition.
Does 'parent' only refer to people?
No. Beyond mothers and fathers, 'parent' is used more widely: a parent company owns other firms, and in biology a parent cell or organism gives rise to offspring. In each case the idea is the same — a source that produces or is responsible for something.
What is an example of a parent's role?
Raising a child day to day: feeding, clothing, keeping them safe, teaching right from wrong, and supporting their education and growth. A parent also holds legal responsibility, making decisions about health, schooling, and welfare until the child becomes an adult.