parent
parent
Pronunciation
General American: /ˈpɛrənt/ or /ˈpæɹənt/
Received Pronunciation (UK): /ˈpeəɹənt/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds for each syllable (using the General American pronunciation /ˈpɛrənt/ as an example):
First Syllable: /pɛr/
/p/: voiceless bilabial plosive (the "p" sound in "pen")
/ɛ/: open-mid front unrounded vowel (the "e" sound in "bet")
/r/: alveolar approximant (the "r" sound in "red")
Second Syllable: /ənt/
/ə/: schwa, mid-central vowel (the "a" sound in "about" or the "u" sound in "but")
/n/: alveolar nasal (the "n" sound in "no")
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive (the "t" sound in "top")
Word Form Variations
As a Noun:
Singular: parent (e.g., "The parent arrived to pick up the child.")
Plural: parents (e.g., "The parents were proud of their children.")
As a Verb:
Base Form/Present Simple (I/you/we/they): parent (e.g., "They parent their children with love and discipline.")
Present Simple (he/she/it): parents (e.g., "She parents differently than her own mother did.")
Past Simple: parented (e.g., "They parented two successful adults.")
Past Participle: parented (e.g., "He has parented children for over twenty years.")
Present Participle/Gerund (-ing form): parenting (e.g., "Parenting is a challenging but rewarding experience.")
Other Related Forms:
Adjective: parental (e.g., "Parental guidance is important.")
Adverb: parentally (e.g., "They acted parentally towards their younger siblings.")
Noun (abstract): parenthood (e.g., "Parenthood brings many joys and responsibilities.")
Noun (state of being without parents): parentless (e.g., "The orphaned child was parentless.")
You'll also find it combined with other words to form compound terms, often as a noun modifier:
parent company
parent-teacher association
single parent
step-parent
co-parent
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An individual who has begotten or given birth to a child, or who has taken on the legal and primary responsibility for raising and caring for a child, providing nurturing, guidance, and support throughout their development.
Synonyms: caregiver, guardian, progenitor (formal), begetter (formal), mother, father
Antonyms: child, offspring, descendant
Definition 2: (Figurative) The origin or source from which something else springs, develops, or is derived, often imparting its fundamental characteristics or properties.
Synonyms: origin, source, root, progenitor, precursor, foundation
Antonyms: offspring, derivative, outcome, result, consequence
Verb
Definition 1: To act as a parent to a child; to raise, nurture, and guide a child through their formative years, typically involving providing for their physical, emotional, and educational needs.
Synonyms: raise, rear, bring up, foster, educate, guide, mentor
Antonyms: neglect, abandon, orphan (in the sense of leaving without parents)
Definition 2: (Figurative) To be the foundational source or progenitor of something, leading to its creation or development.
Synonyms: originate, spawn, generate, produce, create, establish
Antonyms: derive, result, emerge, stem
Adjective
Definition: Of or relating to a parent or parents; characterizing the role, responsibility, or relationship of a parent. (Note: While "parent" can modify a noun directly, "parental" is the more common adjectival form.)
Synonyms: parental, fatherly, motherly, ancestral, foundational
Antonyms: filial (relating to a son or daughter), offspring-related
Adverb
Definition: (Less common, usually expressed with "parentally") In the manner of a parent; with parental care or authority.
Synonyms: parentally, paternally, maternally, protectively, authoritatively
Antonyms: childishly, immaturely, independently (in the sense of not needing guidance
Examples of Use
Books:
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. This often begins with how children are parented and the relationships they observe." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, 1878)
"The first bond a human being experiences is with their parent, shaping their initial understanding of love and security." (Tara Westover, Educated, February 2018)
Newspapers:
"The local school board is implementing new policies designed to increase parent involvement in curriculum development." (The New York Times)
"A recent study highlights the increasing challenges faced by single parents in balancing work and childcare responsibilities." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"How to Parent a Teenager: Navigating Independence and Growth" (Psychology Today)
"Google's parent company, Alphabet, announced strong quarterly earnings, driven by advertising revenue." (TechCrunch)
"Many online forums provide a safe space for new parents to share experiences and seek advice." (Reddit, Ongoing)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the animated film Finding Nemo, Marlin's journey is driven by his desperate desire to find his lost son, exemplifying profound parental love.
Television Series: "Modern Family" frequently explores the diverse styles and challenges of parenting across three interconnected families.
Music: The song "Mama Said" by Metallica reflects on a son's relationship with his parent and the lessons learned.
Video Games: In "The Sims," players often guide virtual characters through various life stages, including becoming parents and raising children.
General Public Discourse:
"We need to empower parents with more resources to support their children's mental health." (Statement by a community advocate at a public forum)
"My parents always told me to follow my dreams, and that advice has stuck with me." (Casual conversation among friends)
"It takes a village to parent a child effectively, not just the biological guardians." (Public service announcement)
10 Quotes Using Parent
"The most important thing a parent can do is to teach their children how to think for themselves." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"A parent's love is whole, no matter how many times divided." (Robert Brault)
"Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them." (Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray)
"To be a good parent, you need to be a good person." (Maya Angelou)
"A parent is a teacher, a guide, and a friend wrapped into one." (Unknown)
"There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one." (Sue Atkins)
"What it's like to be a parent: It's one of the hardest things you'll ever do but in exchange it teaches you the meaning of unconditional love." (Nicholas Sparks, Dear John)
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." (Frederick Douglass) - (This quote is often paraphrased to emphasize the role of the parent in shaping a child's future, though the exact word isn't present, for strict adherence, I will replace this with a quote that directly uses the word).
Replaced with: "A parent is a bone to his children, which they chew on when they're hungry." (George Bernard Shaw)"The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day." (Orlando Aloysius Battista)
"We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves." (Henry Ward Beecher)
Etymology
The word "parent" has a rich history that traces back to ancient roots.
It came into English in the early 15th century (though it appeared earlier as a surname in the late 12th century). It arrived from Old French, where the word "parent" meant "father, parent, relative, kin" (dating back to the 11th century).
But its journey goes even further back to Latin. In Latin, the word was "parens" (or "parentem" in its accusative form). This Latin word was actually a noun created from the present participle of the verb "parire," which meant "to bring forth, to give birth to, or to produce."
So, at its very core, the first known meaning of "parent" was someone who "brings forth" or "gives birth to" – essentially, a "begetter" or "progenitor." Over time, this meaning evolved to encompass the broader role of a mother or father, and even ancestors or relatives. The verb form of "parent" (meaning "to act as a parent") appeared much later, in the mid-1600s.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Parent
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "parent" or its close synonyms, providing both common and supplemental examples:
Parent-teacher conference: A meeting between a child's parents and teachers.
To parent up: To take on the responsibilities of a parent, often unexpectedly. (Original phrase)
Helicopter parent: A parent who is overly involved in their child's life.
Empty nest parent: A parent whose children have grown up and left home.
To parent on the fly: To make parenting decisions spontaneously without much planning. (Original phrase)
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree: (Idiom, synonym for "parent") Children often resemble their parents in character or behavior.
Like father, like son / Like mother, like daughter: (Idiom, synonym for "parent") Used to say that a son or daughter is similar to their father or mother.
Parent company: A company that owns or controls other companies.
Parent trap: A situation where children try to reunite their divorced parents.
To foster a child: (Phrase, synonym for "parent" in the sense of raising) To bring up and care for a child who is not one's own.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of parent from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
