CEFR C2 — Proficiency

Waif

Definition

(literary/formal) A person, especially a child or young woman, who is very thin and pale, often in a way that is considered attractive or pitiful; a fragile or vulnerable individual. Typically used to evoke a sense of sympathy or pathos.

Example Sentences

1The waif-like model dominated the fashion runways with her ethereal beauty and delicate features.

2In Dickens' novels, the waif is often a symbol of the struggles and hardships faced by the urban poor.

3The charity's advertisements featured a waif-like child, highlighting the devastating effects of famine in the region.

4Her waif-like appearance belied a fierce determination and resilience that inspired her colleagues.

5The artist's use of waif-like figures in his paintings added a sense of melancholy and introspection to his work.

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