Search Dictionary
Definition of ancestral

ancestral

/ænˈsɛs.trəl/
an · ces · tral
Adverb:ancestrally
JUMP TO:

ancestral Lexical Profile

ancestral Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to, belonging to, or inherited from one's ancestors or forebears.

Example

"The family gathered at their ancestral estate in the Scottish Highlands for the summer reunion."

2

Serving as an evolutionary forerunner or progenitor to later species, forms, or traits (in biology and linguistics).

Example

"Researchers reconstructed the genome of the ancestral organism from which modern land plants evolved."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for ancestral
Antonyms
View all antonyms for ancestral

• Rhymes for ancestral

• Nearby Words

anatomist
anatomy
ancestor
ancestral
ancestrally
ancestress
ancestry

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late Middle English period from Old French 'ancestrel', which itself derives from Latin 'antecessor' (meaning 'predecessor' or 'foregoer'), formed from 'ante-' (before) and 'cedere' (to go).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ancestral. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ancestral
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.