Definition
A thin, gaunt person, often a child who appears malnourished or neglected; can also refer to a foundling or a homeless person of pitiful appearance. In fashion, it describes an extremely thin model or aesthetic.
Example Usage
The orphan looked like a waif in her tattered clothes, prompting the shopkeeper to give her a meal.
Origin
From Old Norse 'veif,' meaning 'waving' or 'fluttering,' originally referring to goods left unclaimed at a market; later applied to abandoned children.
Fun Fact
The 'waif' aesthetic became prominent in 1990s fashion, particularly with supermodel Kate Moss, sparking decades-long debates about body image and eating disorders.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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See “waif” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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