childless
UK: ˈtʃaɪldləs | US: ˈtʃaɪldləs
adj. without children; not having any offspring
The word "childless" combines "child," derived from Old English cild (meaning "young human"), with the suffix "-less," from Old English -lēas (meaning "without"). The suffix "-less" is commonly used in English to form adjectives indicating the absence of something (e.g., "hopeless," "fearless"). The logical progression is straightforward: "child" + "less" = "without children." This construction reflects a typical Germanic pattern of creating descriptive adjectives through suffixation.
The couple remained childless despite years of trying.
She wrote a memoir about her life as a childless woman in a family-oriented society.
Many childless couples choose to adopt pets instead.
The novel explores the emotional struggles of a childless widow.
In some cultures, being childless is still stigmatized.