Parenthood

How to spell parenthood

10 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce parenthood

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does parenthood mean?

1. nounThe state or condition of being a parent, including the responsibilities it brings.

Parenthood in a sentence

• The couple felt ready to take on the demands of parenthood.

• Many books promise to prepare new mothers and fathers for parenthood.

Where does parenthood come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word joins the noun 'parent' with the native suffix '-hood'. 'Parent' came into English in the late 1400s from Old French, which took it from the Latin 'parens', meaning a father or mother; that noun grew from the verb 'parere', literally 'to bring forth' or 'to give birth'. The ending '-hood' is thoroughly Germanic and was '-had' in Old English, where it meant a condition, rank, or state of being, the same element seen in 'childhood', 'neighbourhood', and 'brotherhood'. So the compound straightforwardly names the state or condition of being a parent. The spelling trap is purely at the seam: writers must keep the silent 'e' before the joined '-hood' (parent + hood), and resist any urge to double or drop letters at the join.

How the word is built

• parent (one who begets or raises a child)
• -hood (state or condition of being)