an empty nester

empty nester

A parent whose children have moved out of the home. When our youngest goes off to college next year, we'll officially be empty nesters.
See also: empty, nester
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

an empty nester

An empty nester is a parent whose children have left home. I'm trying to prepare myself for becoming an empty nester when my youngest child goes to university.
See also: empty, nester
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • empty nester
  • empty-nesters
  • empty calories
  • quite so
  • jam tomorrow
  • kafooster
  • empty threat
  • empty nest
  • empty nest, empty nester
  • nester
References in periodicals archive
Though most are enjoying the extra space and freedom, a quarter (26%) say that they don't enjoy being an Empty Nester with 14% saying that it's difficult to live in the property now that it feels empty.
45 percent of Empty Nesters not considering downsizing to smaller property
But a quarter (26%) say they do not enjoy being an empty nester and 14% say they find it difficult to live in the property now that it feels empty.
Older Brits ignoring windfalls of tens of thousands by staying put as housing crisis mounts; In the middle of a housing shortage, older Brits refuse to leave big homes after their children move out
Besides the fact he doesn't have to worry about his children as much on a daily basis, he's not convinced of the other lifestyle benefits that becoming an empty nester offers.
Empty nest syndrome: not always a bad thing
And, as an Empty Nester myself, I think it's great to have a little help from the Pillsbury Doughboy.
Power of two: Empty Nesters make a growing and fertile market niche. They love to cook and shop for food
Although most are enjoying the extra space and freedom, a quarter (25%) say that they don't enjoy being an Empty Nester with 16% saying that it's difficult to live in the property now that it feels empty.
43 percent of Empty Nesters not to downsize to a smaller property