adj
Uncommon
ancestral
an-SEHS-tuhr-uhl
Ancestral (adj) means belonging to, inherited from, or associated with one's ancestors. Example: “The family returned to their ancestral home in Sicily.”
adj
1
Belonging to, inherited from, or associated with one's ancestors.
"The family returned to their ancestral home in Sicily."
"He still speaks the ancestral language of his grandparents."
How to use ancestral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes anything passed down from, or connected to, earlier generations of a family.
Common pairings
ancestral home
ancestral land
ancestral lineage
ancestral roots
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Word forms
- Plural
- ancestrals
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The family returned to their _____ home in Sicily.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman ancestrel, built on ancestre ("ancestor") plus the adjective ending -al.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ancestral
See all rhymes for 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.
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