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noun Uncommon

genealogy

jee-nee-A-luhd-zhee

Genealogy (noun) means a person's or family's line of descent traced back through their ancestors. Example: “She discovered an interesting genealogy going back to a shipbuilder in the 1700s.”

noun
1
A person's or family's line of descent traced back through their ancestors.
"She discovered an interesting genealogy going back to a shipbuilder in the 1700s."
"Their genealogy includes settlers from three different countries."
2
A chart or record that maps out this ancestry, such as a family tree.
"The museum displayed a genealogy of the royal family stretching back ten generations."
3
The study of family histories and lines of descent as a discipline.
"He took up genealogy as a hobby after retiring."

How to use genealogy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTracing where a family comes from, generation by generation.

Common pairings
trace one's genealogy a genealogy chart family genealogy

Word forms

genealogies plural

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She discovered an interesting _____ going back to a shipbuilder in the 1700s.

Etymology

From Greek geneā ("descent, generation") plus -logia ("study of"), via Old French and Latin.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for genealogy

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Frequently asked questions

What does “genealogy” mean?

The word “genealogy” means a person's or family's line of descent traced back through their ancestors. In plain terms, tracing where a family comes from, generation by generation.

How do you pronounce “genealogy”?

“Genealogy” is pronounced jee-nee-A-luhd-zhee (/ˌd͡ʒiniˈɑlədʒi/ in IPA).

How do you use “genealogy” in a sentence?

Here is “genealogy” used in a sentence: “She discovered an interesting genealogy going back to a shipbuilder in the 1700s.”

What is another word for “genealogy”?

Words with a similar meaning to “genealogy” include pedigree.

What part of speech is “genealogy”?

“Genealogy” is a noun.

Where does the word “genealogy” come from?

The word “genealogy” comes from Latin. From Greek geneā ("descent, generation") plus -logia ("study of"), via Old French and Latin.

Is “genealogy” a common word?

“Genealogy” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “genealogy” have?

“Genealogy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's or family's line of descent traced back through their ancestors.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial