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.

"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

She mentions: "I was a latchkey kid, so I grew up with a lot of fast food and TV tray meals."

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

“I think for latchkey kids of the ‘80s and ‘90s, celebrities filled in for the family members we wish we had,” she said.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 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