latchkey

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since I was a latchkey kid, I needed to find something else to do after school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

"Dinosaurs were more like latchkey kids," Holtz said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

His mother’s sister and brother-in-law helped care for them when they could, but he likened himself to a latchkey kid because of the amount of time he and his sister spent alone.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026

Most of Perry's upbringing was in Ottawa, Canada, but he said he was a "latchkey kid" because his mother's job "just meant I spent a great deal of time alone".

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2023

He and I are going to help Mom practice every single night, which is why I’m sitting at my desk instead of watching after-school TV, which is a birthright of every latchkey child.

From "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead