empty nest
B2/C1Informal to semi-formal; common in everyday, psychological, and sociological contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A home where the children have grown up and moved away.
The stage in a parent's life, often associated with the later middle years, when their children have permanently left home, leading to psychological and lifestyle adjustments. It can also refer to the situation itself.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun phrase. The concept is psychological and sociological, focusing on the resulting parental experience rather than the physical house.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Identical in core meaning and usage.
Connotations
Slightly more common in US self-help and pop-psychology discourse, but fully established in UK English.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; the associated term 'empty nester' is slightly more frequent in American media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
cope with + [empty nest]adjust to + [empty nest]face + [empty nest]suffer from + [empty nest syndrome]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The nest is empty.”
- “Flying the nest (for the children's departure).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; potentially in marketing targeting demographics (e.g., 'travel offers for empty nesters').
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and family studies journals.
Everyday
Very common in discussions about family life, ageing, and life transitions.
Technical
Not a technical term, but used descriptively in counselling and therapy contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A. The related verb is 'to empty-nest', but it is very rare and informal.
American English
- N/A. The related verb is 'to empty-nest', but it is very rare and informal.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The empty-nest years can be a time for new hobbies. (Hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- They are typical empty-nest parents looking for a smaller condo. (Hyphenated attributive use)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Their house is very quiet now. They have an empty nest.
- After their son went to university, they had to get used to an empty nest.
- Many couples experience a period of adjustment when facing an empty nest for the first time.
- Contrary to the melancholy associated with the empty nest syndrome, some parents report a newfound sense of freedom and opportunity to reconnect as a couple.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird's nest in a tree, now vacant, with the fledglings having flown away. This perfectly pictures the family home after children leave.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FAMILY HOME IS A NEST; CHILDREN ARE BIRDS; LEAVING HOME IS FLYING AWAY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid a direct, non-idiomatic translation like 'пустое гнездо' without context, as it may sound literal. The established term is 'синдром опустевшего гнезда' for the syndrome, or a descriptive phrase like 'когда дети выросли и разъехались'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective without a noun (e.g., 'We are empty nest' instead of 'We are empty nesters' or 'We have an empty nest'). Confusing 'empty nest' (the situation) with 'empty nester' (the person).
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'empty nest' primarily refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While it often connotes initial loneliness or adjustment ('empty nest syndrome'), it can also positively describe a new, freer stage of life for parents.
An 'empty nester' is a parent (or parents) whose children have grown and left home. It refers to the people experiencing the 'empty nest'.
The verb 'to empty-nest' (e.g., 'They are empty-nesting') is occasionally found in very informal contexts, but it is non-standard. It's better to use phrases like 'to have an empty nest' or 'to be empty nesters'.
Yes, the concept is universal, and many languages have adopted a direct translation or a similar metaphorical phrase due to its prevalence in psychology and media.