noun
Uncommon
ancestry
AN-sehs-tree
Ancestry (noun) means the line of ancestors a person descends from; one's family origins or heritage. Example: “She discovered her ancestry included both Irish and Nigerian roots.”
noun
1
The line of ancestors a person descends from; one's family origins or heritage.
"She discovered her ancestry included both Irish and Nigerian roots."
"A DNA test can reveal a surprising amount about your ancestry."
How to use ancestry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishYour family history — who your ancestors were and where they came from.
Common pairings
trace your ancestry
mixed ancestry
of noble ancestry
ancestry test
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Word forms
- Plural
- ancestries
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She discovered her _____ included both Irish and Nigerian roots.
Etymology
From Middle English auncestrie, from Old French ancesserie, ultimately from the same root as ancestor.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ancestry
See all rhymes for ancestry →Frequently asked questions
What does “ancestry” mean?
The word “ancestry” means the line of ancestors a person descends from; one's family origins or heritage. In plain terms, your family history — who your ancestors were and where they came from.
How do you pronounce “ancestry”?
“Ancestry” is pronounced AN-sehs-tree (/ˈæn.sɛs.tɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “ancestry” in a sentence?
Here is “ancestry” used in a sentence: “She discovered her ancestry included both Irish and Nigerian roots.”
What is another word for “ancestry”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ancestry” include provenance, parentage and descent.
What part of speech is “ancestry”?
“Ancestry” is a noun.
Where does the word “ancestry” come from?
The word “ancestry” comes from Old French. From Middle English auncestrie, from Old French ancesserie, ultimately from the same root as ancestor.
Is “ancestry” a common word?
“Ancestry” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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