Are you wondering how to describe an orphanage in a story? Below are 10 words you use to create a dramatic setting that will capture the attention of readers.
1. Cramped
Definition
Confined, restricted; tightly packed together.
Examples
“The orphanage was cramped with far too many children overpopulating the space available.”
“The tiny bedrooms were so cramped that the children could barely move around in them.”
How it Adds Description
The word “cramped” suggests that the living space is too small and limited for the number of occupants. It creates an image of a place where children are forced to live in tight quarters, unable to move around and play. This description enhances the overall bleakness of the orphanage and my lead characters to crave space and privacy in their later lives.
2. Desolate
Definition
Barren, empty; devoid of life.
Examples
“The orphanage was located in a desolate part of town, where there were few signs of life.”
“The playground outside the orphanage was desolate, with broken swings and rusted slides.”
How it Adds Description
The word “desolate” depicts an orphanage that is located in a remote area, with few amenities or connections to the outside world. It can increase the children’s feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, making it harder for them to form meaningful relationships or find their purpose, traits that may create personal issues for their character as an adult.
3. Dilapidated
Definition
Run-down, decayed; in a state of disrepair.
Examples
“The orphanage was a dilapidated building, with crumbling walls and leaky roofs.”
“The dilapidated furniture showed signs of wear and damage such as torn cushions and broken legs.”
How it Adds Description
The word “dilapidated” portrays an orphanage in disrepair, with broken windows, leaky roofs, and crumbling walls. It can emphasize the neglect the orphans experience from the adults in charge. It may present physical dangers to the children, such as the risk of injury from falling debris or exposure to the elements that cause them harm or lead them to seek retribution.
4. Joyless
Definition
Dreary, unhappy; lacking any sense of pleasure.
Examples
“The atmosphere of the orphanage was joyless and gloomy, with no laughter or smiles to be found.
“The children’s faces as they went about their daily routines were joyless, with no guarantees for the future.
How it Adds Description
The word “joyless” implies that the children in an orphanage experience little happiness, creating a sense of emotional detachment and numbness among them. This can make it harder for the orphans to form healthy relationships or develop a sense of identity, perhaps leading their character to be introverted or form sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies.
5. Stark
Definition
Harsh, bare; plain in appearance.
Examples
“The orphanage was a stark place, with no decorations or personal touches to make it feel like a home.
“The stark walls and cold floors of the orphanage only added to the children’s despair.
How it Adds Description
The word “stark” depicts an orphanage that is lacking in tenderness or comfort. A stark orphanage can emphasize a shortage of emotional or physical resources, making it harder for the orphans to feel protected. It can highlight the lack of concern for the children’s psychological growth and well-being and drive their character to either seek or reject love in desperate ways.
6. Institutional
Definition
Bureaucratic, formal; characteristic of an institution.
Examples
“The orphanage was a cold and institutional place, with no love or humanity to be found.
“The institutional rules and regulations of the orphanage made it difficult for the children to feel like they had any agency or control over their lives.
How it Adds Description
The word “institutional” implies that an orphanage that is cold and impersonal, emphasizing the bureaucratic nature of the system. It can make children feel like they are simply part of a system rather than human beings with unique needs and aspirations. It can explain a character’s desire for individualized care and attention when fostered or adopted.
7. Bleak
Definition
Unhappy, cheerless; without enjoyment.
Examples
“The bleak atmosphere of the orphanage was reflected in the sadness of the children’s eyes.”
“The bleak orphanage was hardly a good place for a child to live but it was better than the alternative of being out on the streets alone.”
How it Adds Description
The word “bleak” adds a sense of misery and gloom. It can emphasize the children’s lack of faith, that they’ll find a positive future for themselves. Children may find themselves in dire need of adult support after receiving so little positivity and nurturing at such an orphanage. Their character may seek a sense of achievement they never had.
8. Cold
Definition
Unfriendly, unfeeling; lacking in warmth.
Examples
“The staff at the orphanage were cold and unfeeling, showing no compassion or care for the children who lived there.
“The cold and unfriendly atmosphere of the orphanage made it difficult for the children to feel any sense of comfort or safety.
How it Adds Description
The word “cold” describes an orphanage that is lacking in affection and compassion. A cold orphanage can leave children feeling emotionally disconnected. Orphans may seek love and adoration they were lacking in ways that are harmful to them or others or they may lack the ability to form attachments leading their character to create chaos or learning to grow.
9. Repressive
Definition
Oppressive, tyrannical; inhibiting the freedom of a person or group.
Examples
“The orphanage was a repressive place, with strict rules and punishments for even minor infractions.
“The repressive nature of the orphanage made it difficult for the children to find freedom or autonomy.
How it Adds Description
The word “repressive” adds a sense of oppression and control to the story. It can make it harder for the children to express themselves freely and can leave them feeling powerless and voiceless, leaving them to seek out personal agency later in their lives in ways that may be harmful to themselves or others.
10. Forsaken
Definition
Abandoned, deserted; rejected by all or most.
Examples
“The orphanage felt like a forsaken place, with no signs of life or promise.
“The forsaken nature of the orphanage made it difficult for the children to feel like anyone cared about them.
How it Adds Description
The word “forsaken” suggests an orphanage that is abandoned or neglected. It can emphasize a neglect of the children’s basic needs, making it harder for them to feel safe or secure. The children may feel forgotten and left behind by society, which can lead to feelings of anger and resentment that lead their character down a dark path.