What is stepfamily? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of stepfamily in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of stepfamily

stepfamilynoun
gia đình kế
/ˈstepfæməli//ˈstepfæməli/

Where does the word stepfamily come from?

The term "stepfamily" originated in the mid-20th century in the United States. Prior to this, blended families were often referred to as "merged families" or "reconstituted families." The term "stepfamily" was coined to describe a new type of family structure that emerged after World War II, characterized by a biological parent remarrying and bringing children from a previous relationship into the household. The term "step" comes from the Old English word "stefn," meaning "a joining or joining together." In the context of family relationships, a "step" refers to a new relationship between a biological parent and a child who is not their biological child. The term "stepfamily" gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s as the number of blended families increased, and it has since become widely accepted and used in many languages. Today, the term "stepfamily" is used to describe a family structure that is increasingly common around the world.

Example of vocabulary stepfamilynamespace

After their divorce, Sarah's father remarried and she now has a stepfamily that includes a new mom, dad, and half-siblings.
The stepfamily dynamics can be challenging at times, as everyone is adjusting to their new roles and relationships.
Sarah's stepbrother, who she's never met before, is visiting for the week, and she's excited to get to know him.
In order to ease the transition for Sarah's younger siblings, her biological father and stepmother made sure to include them in family activities and traditions.
Sarah's stepfather has taken on a fatherly role for her, providing guidance and support during her teenage years.