Definition

A boy or man who is the son of one's spouse from a previous relationship.

Example

My stepson loves to play soccer on the weekends.

Conversation

I heard you have a new stepson now, how is he adjusting?

Yeah, he's settling in pretty well, actually.

That's great to hear! How old is your stepson?

He's ten, and he loves playing video games.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stepson is formed from "step" (from Old English *stæpe*, meaning a step or degree) and "son" (from Old English *sunu*, meaning a male child). The word refers to a male child of one's spouse from a previous relationship, indicating a familial relationship that is not biological but rather through a step or degree of marriage.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'step' as a degree of relationship, and 'son' as a male child — a stepson is a male child related through a step in family, not by blood.

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