descendant
A descendant is a person who comes from a specific ancestor or family line. It refers to someone who is the child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of a person from the past.
Examples
3 of 5She is a descendant of a famous writer.
She is a child or grandchild of a famous writer.
The court must find every living descendant to share the money.
The court must find every family member from the younger generation to share the money.
I think I am a descendant of a sea captain.
I think one of my grandfathers was a sea captain.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'down'. A descendant is someone further 'down' the family tree from the original ancestor.
Quick Quiz
The prince is a direct _______ of Queen Victoria.
Correct!
The correct answer is: descendant
Examples
She is a descendant of a famous writer.
everydayShe is a child or grandchild of a famous writer.
The court must find every living descendant to share the money.
formalThe court must find every family member from the younger generation to share the money.
I think I am a descendant of a sea captain.
informalI think one of my grandfathers was a sea captain.
Scientists studied the DNA of each descendant in the group.
academicScientists studied the DNA of every person born into that family line.
The hotel is still owned by a descendant of the founder.
businessA family member of the person who started the hotel still owns it.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
lineal descendant
A person in a direct line of descent
descendants of
The people who come after a specific person
numerous descendants
Many children and grandchildren
Often Confused With
An ancestor is someone you come from (past), while a descendant is someone who comes from you (future).
A decedent is a person who has died, while a descendant is a family member in a later generation.
Usage Notes
Use this word when talking about family history or legal inheritance. It is more formal than simply saying 'children' or 'grandchildren'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 'descendant' (the person) with 'descent' (the family origins). Also, remember that 'descendant' is a noun for the person, while 'descend' is the action of going down.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'down'. A descendant is someone further 'down' the family tree from the original ancestor.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'descendere', which means 'to climb down'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Genealogy and tracing descendants is a very popular hobby in many Western countries to discover family history.
Quick Quiz
The prince is a direct _______ of Queen Victoria.
Correct!
The correct answer is: descendant
Related Vocabulary
More Family words
dad
A1An informal and affectionate name for a father, used primarily by children or within a family context. It refers to a male parent who provides care and support for his offspring.
son
A1A male child or man in relation to his parents. It is a fundamental kinship term used to describe a direct male descendant in a family.
child
A1A young human being below the age of puberty or the legal age of majority. It can also refer to a son or daughter of any age in relation to their parents.
sister
A1A sister is a girl or woman who shares the same parents as another person. It can also refer to a woman who shares one parent or someone who is very close like a family member.
twin
A1A twin is one of two children born at the same time to the same mother. It can also refer to one of two things that are exactly the same or very similar.
baby
A1A baby is a very young human being, typically from birth until they start to walk. It is a general term for an infant who requires complete care and attention from adults.
toddler
A1A young child who is just beginning to walk, typically between the ages of one and three. This term describes the developmental stage between infancy and the start of preschool.
adult
A1A person who is fully grown and developed, typically someone who is 18 years of age or older. It is used to distinguish a mature individual from a child or a teenager.
wife
A1A wife is a female partner in a marriage. It refers to a woman who is legally or formally joined to another person in a marital relationship.
grandfather
A1A grandfather is the father of a person's father or mother. It is a term used to describe the male parent of one's own parent within a family tree.
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