Ancestor
/ˈænsɛstər/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A person, typically one who is more distant than a grandparent, from whom one is descended.
/ˈænsɛstər/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A person from whom one is descended.
My ancestors were farmers.
💡 Simply: Someone in your family from a long time ago.
More Examples
2
She traced her ancestry back to medieval England.
How It's Used
Genealogy
"I'm researching my ancestors to trace my family history."
History
"The ancient Greeks were ancestors of the modern-day Greeks."
From Old French *ancestor, from Latin *antecessor, from ante- 'before' + cedere 'to go'.
The word has been used consistently since the Middle Ages, primarily in genealogical and historical contexts.
Memory tip
Think 'ante' (before) - they came before you.
Practice
ansistoransestorancester
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written