ancestral
3 synonyms for ancestral, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Belonging to, inherited from, or associated with one's ancestors.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
transmissible
patrimonial
How to use ancestral
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ancestral home
ancestral land
ancestral lineage
ancestral roots
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman ancestrel, built on ancestre ("ancestor") plus the adjective ending -al.
Full origin of ancestral →Frequently asked questions
What does “ancestral” mean?
The word “ancestral” means belonging to, inherited from, or associated with one's ancestors. In plain terms, describes anything passed down from, or connected to, earlier generations of a family.
How do you pronounce “ancestral”?
“Ancestral” is pronounced an-SEHS-tuhr-uhl (/ænˈsɛs.təɹ.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ancestral” in a sentence?
Here is “ancestral” used in a sentence: “The family returned to their ancestral home in Sicily.”
What part of speech is “ancestral”?
“Ancestral” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ancestral” come from?
The word “ancestral” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman ancestrel, built on ancestre ("ancestor") plus the adjective ending -al.
Is “ancestral” a common word?
“Ancestral” is an uncommon word in modern English.
