grandfather
Grandfather (noun) means the father of one's mother or father. Example: “Her grandfather fought in the war as a young man.”
How to use grandfather
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a noun, your parent's father; as a verb, to let something old avoid a new rule.
The verb use ("grandfathered in") is common in law, business, and software — it means the old version keeps its old privileges.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
grandfathered past tense, grandfathered past tense, grandfathers plural, grandfathers singular, grandfathers singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ fought in the war as a young man.
Etymology
From Middle English grandfadre, modeled on French grand-père, replacing the older English "eldfather."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for grandfather
See all rhymes for grandfather →Frequently asked questions
What does “grandfather” mean?
The word “grandfather” means the father of one's mother or father. In plain terms, as a noun, your parent's father; as a verb, to let something old avoid a new rule.
How do you pronounce “grandfather”?
“Grandfather” is pronounced GRAN-fah-thuh (/ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌfɑðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “grandfather” in a sentence?
Here is “grandfather” used in a sentence: “Her grandfather fought in the war as a young man.”
What is another word for “grandfather”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grandfather” include ayle, elderfather, eldfather, goodsire, gramp and grampa.
What is the opposite of “grandfather”?
The opposite of “grandfather” — its antonyms — are grandmother, grandchild, granddaughter and grandson.
What part of speech is “grandfather”?
Depending on how it is used, “grandfather” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “grandfather” come from?
The word “grandfather” comes from French. From Middle English grandfadre, modeled on French grand-père, replacing the older English "eldfather.".
Is “grandfather” a common word?
“Grandfather” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is a "grandfather clause"?
A "grandfather clause" is a provision that lets existing people, businesses, or arrangements keep following the old rules after a new rule is introduced. It is the noun form of the verb sense of grandfather, meaning to exempt from a new requirement.
What is the difference between "grandfather" and "grandparent"?
"Grandfather" refers specifically to the father of one's mother or father, so it is male. "Grandparent" is gender-neutral and covers both a grandfather and a grandmother.
Is "grandfather" written as one word or two?
"Grandfather" is written as a single word, not "grand father." The same applies to related terms like "grandmother" and "grandparent," while "great-grandfather" takes a hyphen.
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