Antecedents Meaning in English
word · lemma: antecedent
Definition
Antecedents are things, people, or events that came before something else and influenced or explained it, often referring to someone's family history or background.
Usage & Nuances
More formal or academic; often used in legal, historical, or psychological contexts. Common with 'family', 'historical', or 'criminal' — e.g., 'family antecedents'. Not used in daily conversation about simple causes; 'background' or 'history' is more common there.
Example Sentences
The doctor asked about her medical antecedents.
basic
His criminal antecedents worried the police.
basic
We studied the historical antecedents of the conflict.
basic
She has impressive academic antecedents; her parents are both professors.
natural
Understanding the antecedents helps us solve the problem much faster.
natural
If you check his antecedents, you'll see he has a great reputation in the field.
natural