step-
Non-blood family marker
Step- is a prefix attached to family relationship words to indicate a bond created through marriage rather than biology or adoption.
A stepmother or stepfather is the spouse of one's biological parent, and stepchildren are the children of one's spouse from a previous relationship.
Step-siblings share no blood relation but become family when their parents marry each other.
The prefix carries no inherent negative connotation, though fairy tales have given stepmothers an unfairly wicked reputation.
Non-biological brother or sister
- stepdadMother's spouse, not biological parent
- stepmomNon-biological maternal figure
- stepkidSpouse's biological offspring
- stepgrandparentParent's spouse's parent
stepgrandchild · blended · remarriage · non-biological · guardian · adoptive · in-law · custodial
stepsibling
Non-biological brother or sister
- stepdadMother's spouse, not biological parent
- stepmomNon-biological maternal figure
- stepkidSpouse's biological offspring
stepgrandparent · stepgrandchild · blended · remarriage · non-biological · guardian · adoptive · in-law · custodial
- first stepInitial action taken
- step upIncrease or advance
- step onPress down with foot
- baby stepsCautious incremental progress
- step by stepIn ordered stages
- step backCreate distance, literally/figuratively
step, steps, stepped, stepping, stepper, steppers, stepfather, stepmother, stepchild