ancestor
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for ancestor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person from whom one is descended, further back than a grandparent; a forebear.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use ancestor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
distant ancestor
common ancestor
ancestors and descendants
trace your ancestors
Etymology
From Old French ancestre, from Latin antecessor, "one who goes before" — from ante ("before") + cedere ("to go").
Full origin of ancestor →Frequently asked questions
What does “ancestor” mean?
The word “ancestor” means a person from whom one is descended, further back than a grandparent; a forebear. In plain terms, someone (or something) that came before you and that you descended from or developed out of.
How do you pronounce “ancestor”?
“Ancestor” is pronounced AN-sehs-tuh (/ˈæn.sɛs.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ancestor” in a sentence?
Here is “ancestor” used in a sentence: “Her ancestors emigrated from Poland in the 1890s.”
What is another word for “ancestor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ancestor” include antecedent, ascendant, ascendent, forerunner and progenitor.
What is the opposite of “ancestor”?
The opposite of “ancestor” — its antonyms — are descendant and afterbear.
What part of speech is “ancestor”?
“Ancestor” is a noun.
Where does the word “ancestor” come from?
The word “ancestor” comes from Latin. From Old French ancestre, from Latin antecessor, "one who goes before" — from ante ("before") + cedere ("to go").
Is “ancestor” a common word?
“Ancestor” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
