ancestor
AN-sehs-tuh
Ancestor (noun) means a person from whom one is descended, further back than a grandparent; a forebear. Example: “Her ancestors emigrated from Poland in the 1890s.”
noun
1
A person from whom one is descended, further back than a grandparent; a forebear.
"Her ancestors emigrated from Poland in the 1890s."
"He traced his ancestors back to a small village in Wales."
2
An earlier version or form of something that later developed into its modern form.
"The typewriter is a mechanical ancestor of the modern keyboard."
"Latin is the ancestor of French, Spanish, and Italian."
How to use ancestor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that came before you and that you descended from or developed out of.
Common mistake
The verb form "to ancestor" is very rare — in normal writing, stick to the noun and use "descend from" for the verb idea.
Common pairings
distant ancestor
common ancestor
ancestors and descendants
trace your ancestors
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Word forms
- Plural
- ancestors
- Third person singular
- ancestors
- Past tense
- ancestored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ emigrated from Poland in the 1890s.
Etymology
From Old French ancestre, from Latin antecessor, "one who goes before" — from ante ("before") + cedere ("to go").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ancestor
See all rhymes for 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.
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