offspring
9 antonyms and opposites of offspring, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A person's child, or an animal's or plant's young.
Antonyms
How to use offspring
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English ofspring, formed from off- plus spring, in the sense of something that "springs from" a parent.
Full origin of offspring →Frequently asked questions
What does “offspring” mean?
The word “offspring” means a person's child, or an animal's or plant's young. In plain terms, a child or young — the direct product of a parent, whether human, animal, or plant.
How do you pronounce “offspring”?
“Offspring” is pronounced OFSP-rihng (/ˈɔfspɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “offspring” in a sentence?
Here is “offspring” used in a sentence: “The couple raised their offspring in the countryside.”
What is the opposite of “offspring”?
The opposite of “offspring” — its antonyms — are genitor, parent, progenitor, father and mother.
What part of speech is “offspring”?
“Offspring” is a noun.
Where does the word “offspring” come from?
The word “offspring” comes from Old English. From Old English ofspring, formed from off- plus spring, in the sense of something that "springs from" a parent.
Is “offspring” a common word?
“Offspring” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between offspring and children?
Offspring is a broader term that can refer to a person's child or an animal's or plant's young, making it applicable across species. Children specifically refers to human offspring, so offspring is the more general and often more formal or scientific choice.
Is offspring singular or plural?
Offspring has the same form in both singular and plural use, so it can refer to one child or young animal as well as many, such as "a single offspring" or "several offspring." It does not take a separate plural form like "offsprings."
Is offspring a formal word?
Offspring carries a more formal or scientific tone than everyday words like kids or young, and it is frequently used in biology, genetics, and legal contexts. In casual conversation, people are more likely to say children, kids, or babies instead.