only child

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'only child' is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person (usually a child) who does not have any siblings. For example: "John is an only child, so he never had to share with siblings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'M an only child.

The New York Times

My only child.

The New York Times

Drexler was an only child.

The New Yorker

I am her only child.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is my only child.

The New York Times

She is their only child.

The New York Times - Health

He was an only child.

The New York Times - Arts

I am an only child.

The New Yorker

Lovett is an only child.

The New Yorker

"That was my only child.

The New York Times

Ariel is their only child.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the experiences of an "only child", be mindful of stereotypes. Focus on individual differences rather than generalizations.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping generalizations about the personality traits or experiences of "only children". Individual personalities are shaped by a multitude of factors beyond sibling status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only child" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a person who has no siblings. Ludwig shows many examples in which it serves as a subject or object in a sentence, describing someone's family status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only child" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a person who has no siblings. Ludwig's AI confirms its acceptability. It is used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to provide information about someone's family background. While discussing "only children", it's important to avoid stereotypes and recognize individual differences. Alternative phrases like "child without siblings" and "sole offspring" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

child without siblings

Emphasizes the absence of siblings as a defining characteristic.

sole offspring

Uses a more formal term for child, highlighting their unique position in the family.

single child family

Focuses on the family structure resulting from having only one child.

one-child family

Similar to "single child family", but uses a hyphenated form.

only born

A less common but direct synonym, emphasizing the fact that no other children were born to the parents.

without any siblings

Describes the state of not having siblings in a more explicit way.

the only one

More colloquial way of saying that somebody is the only child.

the sole heir

Highlights the inheritance aspect and the lack of siblings to share with.

lonely child

Implies a potential emotional aspect (loneliness) associated with being an only child.

singleton

A succinct, less common term for an only child.

FAQs

How do you use "only child" in a sentence?

You can use "only child" to describe someone who doesn't have any siblings. For example, "Growing up, Sarah was an "only child", which meant she had all her parents' attention."

What are some other ways to say "only child"?

Alternatives include "child without siblings", "sole offspring", or "single-child family".

Is it correct to say "only child" or "the only child"?

Both are correct, but "only child" is more common as a general descriptor. "The only child" is used when referring to a specific person in a particular context: "She is the "only child" of wealthy parents."

What's the difference between an "only child" and a child with half-siblings?

An "only child" has no siblings at all. A child with half-siblings shares only one parent with another child. So, while they may grow up in a similar situation to an "only child", they still have a sibling relationship, however partial.