ancestor
word
Definition
A person in your family who lived a long time ago, such as great-grandparents or earlier relatives.
Usage & Nuances
Typically used in formal or academic contexts about family history. Common collocations: 'distant ancestor', 'African ancestors'. Used for humans, not animals. Do not confuse with 'descendant' (person from a later generation).
Spanish: ancestro - antepasadoPortuguese (BR): ancestral - antepassadoPortuguese (PT): antepassado - ancestralChinese (Simplified): 祖先Chinese (Traditional): 祖先Hindi: पूर्वजArabic: سلف - جدBengali: পূর্বপুরুষRussian: предокJapanese: 祖先Vietnamese: tổ tiênKorean: 조상Turkish: ata - ecdatUrdu: آبا و اجداد - بزرگ خاندانIndonesian: nenek moyang
Example Sentences
My great-great-grandfather is my ancestor.
basic
We learned about our ancestors in history class.
basic
Some people honor their ancestors every year.
basic
DNA tests can help you discover who your ancestors were.
natural
Our family tree goes back seven generations of ancestors.
natural
You look just like your ancestor in that old photo!
natural