variants
or less commonly empty-nester
plural empty nesters also empty-nesters
: a parent whose children have grown up and no longer live with them
… empty nesters moving from suburban houses to city apartments …—Daniel P. Gregory
Empty nesters in search of small, low-maintenance—but luxurious—retirement digs …—Anne Kates Smith
If you are relocating, or if you are an empty-nester thinking about unloading the big old homestead for smaller digs, don't ignore the option of renting.—William G. Flanagan and Brigid McMenamin
Cite this Entry
“Empty nester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty%20nester. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.
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