Waifish Definition and Meaning
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Published on May 31, 2024
Waifish describes someone who appears thin, delicate, and vulnerable, often suggesting a need for protection. e.g., The artist's waifish figure became iconic in her photographs.
Table of Contents
Waifish Definitions
Characterized by being thin and delicate in appearance, reminiscent of a waif.
Her waifish silhouette was accentuated by the oversized clothes.
Looking undernourished or neglected.
The stray puppy had a waifish look that prompted immediate adoption.
Being or appearing homeless or destitute, in the manner of a waif.
The actor transformed into a waifish figure for the role, wearing tattered clothes and a haunted expression.
Appearing thin and fragile, often invoking sympathy.
The child's waifish appearance moved the charity workers to tears.
Having a slight build that suggests vulnerability.
Despite her waifish demeanor, she was a strong competitor.
Having a look of innocence and vulnerability.
The portrait captured her waifish innocence perfectly.
Exhibiting an ethereal, almost fragile beauty.
The ballet dancer's waifish grace captivated the audience.
Suggesting a lack of physical strength due to thinness.
The young athlete overcame his waifish frame to win the race.
Appearing as if one is in need of care or protection.
His waifish charm endeared him to everyone he met.
Reflecting a style or fashion that emphasizes a slender, fragile look.
The fashion line featured waifish models in ethereal designs.
Waiflike.
Waifish Snonyms
Fragile
Easily broken or damaged; frail.
His fragile health was a constant concern.
Ethereal
Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
Her ethereal presence was mesmerizing.
Delicate
Fine in texture or structure; easily damaged.
The delicate lace complimented her ethereal beauty.
Thin
Having little flesh or fat on the body; lean.
His thin frame belied his strength.
Twiggy
Very thin, especially in a way that suggests lack of nourishment or strength.
The new diet left him looking rather twiggy.
Wispy
Thin and light; fine or feathery.
Her wispy hair fluttered in the gentle breeze.
Petite
(Of a woman) attractively small and dainty.
The petite dancer moved with incredible grace.
Slight
Small in degree; not substantial or robust.
Her slight build made her appear younger than she was.
Gamine
A girl with mischievous or boyish charm.
Her gamine look was complemented by short hair and playful attire.
Lissome
(Of a person) thin, supple, and graceful.
The lissome figure of the gymnast impressed the judges.
Waifish Idioms & Phrases
Waifish figure
A body type that is noticeably thin and delicate.
The designer's muse had a waifish figure, inspiring a line of floaty, ethereal garments.
Waifish charm
A vulnerable, appealing quality that evokes a desire to protect.
Despite his waifish charm, he was fiercely independent.
Waifish demeanor
A manner that suggests vulnerability and delicateness.
Her waifish demeanor belied a strong, resilient spirit.
Waifish grace
A manner of moving that is delicate and seems almost fragile.
She moved with a waifish grace that was captivating on stage.
Waifish innocence
An appearance of innocence and vulnerability.
The child actor's waifish innocence made him perfect for the role.
Waifish look
An appearance or expression that suggests vulnerability or neglect.
The photographer captured a waifish look that spoke volumes.
Waifish beauty
A type of beauty characterized by a delicate and vulnerable appearance.
The model was celebrated for her waifish beauty.
Waifish silhouette
The outline of a person's body that appears slender and fragile.
Her waifish silhouette was striking against the backdrop of the bustling city.
Waifish style
A fashion style that emphasizes and celebrates a slender, delicate appearance.
The boutique specialized in waifish style, offering clothes that were both elegant and understated.
Waifish presence
Being present in a manner that is ethereal and delicate.
Even in a crowded room, her waifish presence was undeniable.
Waifish appeal
The attractive quality of someone who appears delicate and in need of protection.
His songs often featured themes of waifish appeal and resilience.
Waifish Example Sentences
The waifish actress became known for her roles as ethereal characters.
The waifish child was the first to be adopted from the orphanage.
He had a waifish look that made people want to take care of him.
Her waifish beauty made her stand out in the modeling industry.
Despite her waifish frame, she was an excellent runner.
The waifish musician's voice was as delicate as her appearance.
The waifish figure of the dancer added to her performance's impact.
The waifish poet's works spoke of strength and resilience.
The artist's waifish grace was evident in every brush stroke.
They were drawn to the dog's waifish appearance and decided to adopt it.
Her waifish silhouette became iconic in the world of high fashion.
The character's waifish charm captivated audiences worldwide.
The waifish orphan found a new home where he was loved and cared for.
The novel's protagonist was described as having a waifish elegance.
Despite his waifish demeanor, he was known for his strong will.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in waifish?
The stressed syllable in "waifish" is the first syllable: waif.
How is waifish used in a sentence?
Waifish is used to describe someone who looks thin, fragile, and vulnerable. e.g., The main character in the story was a waifish young girl with a strong spirit.
Why is it called waifish?
It's called waifish because it derives from "waif," referring to a person, especially a child, who appears homeless, neglected, or vulnerable, combined with "-ish" to describe someone resembling or characteristic of a waif.
How do we divide waifish into syllables?
Waifish is divided into syllables as follows: waif-ish.
How many syllables are in waifish?
Waifish has two syllables.
What is the pronunciation of waifish?
Waifish is pronounced as /ˈweɪfɪʃ/.
What is the root word of waifish?
The root word of waifish is "waif," which refers to a homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, often a child.
What part of speech is waifish?
Waifish is an adjective.
What is the singular form of waifish?
Waifish is an adjective and does not change form between singular and plural nouns it describes.
What is the opposite of waifish?
The opposite of waifish might be "robust" or "sturdy."
What is the verb form of waifish?
Waifish is an adjective and does not have a verb form. It describes a quality or appearance.
What is another term for waifish?
Another term for waifish is "slight" or "delicate."
Is waifish a negative or positive word?
Waifish is neutral; its connotation depends on the context in which it is used.
Is waifish a noun or adjective?
Waifish is an adjective.
Is waifish an abstract noun?
No, waifish is an adjective, not a noun.
Is waifish a countable noun?
Waifish is not a noun; it's an adjective and thus does not have a countable form.
Is waifish a collective noun?
No, waifish is an adjective, not a noun.
Which vowel is used before waifish?
The vowel used before waifish depends on the article or other words in the sentence, not on waifish itself.
Is waifish a vowel or consonant?
The word waifish starts with a consonant.
Is the word “waifish” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
As an adjective, waifish does not function as a direct or indirect object but describes a subject.
Which conjunction is used with waifish?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used in sentences with waifish, depending on the overall sentence structure.
Is waifish an adverb?
No, waifish is not an adverb.
Is the word waifish imperative?
No, waifish is an adjective and does not have an imperative form.
Which determiner is used with waifish?
Determiners like "a," "the," or "her" can be used with waifish depending on the noun it modifies, e.g., "a waifish appearance."
Which preposition is used with waifish?
Prepositions used with waifish depend on the context, e.g., "with a waifish look."
Which article is used with waifish?
The article used with waifish depends on the noun it describes and the specific context, e.g., "a waifish figure."
What is the plural form of waifish?
As an adjective, waifish does not have a plural form. It describes a condition or appearance regardless of singularity or plurality.
Is the waifish term a metaphor?
Waifish can be used metaphorically to describe someone's appearance or demeanor as resembling a waif's vulnerability or delicateness.
Is the word waifish a Gerund?
No, waifish is not a gerund; it is an adjective.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
