Descendant: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to a person who is related to someone from a previous generation. It is often in formal or historical contexts.

• Many descendants of the ancient tribes still live in the region today

Commonly used to refer to the children or young of humans and animals. It is more biological and neutral in tone.

• The bird carefully guarded its nest full of offspring

Best used when talking about someone who inherits property, a title, or status after someone else's death. Often used in legal or noble contexts.

• As the eldest child, he became the heir to the family estate

Used in a formal or literary context to refer to descendants or children. It can also refer to the results of something, like a creative work or idea.

• The successful business was the progeny of his years of dedication and hard work

Typically used to refer to someone who comes from a particular ancestor, usually several generations down the family line.

• He is a descendant of a famous queen.
• The descendants of the original settlers still live in the village.

Commonly used to describe something that has developed from something larger, such as a new branch or division in a company or an organization.

• The tech startup was an offshoot of a major corporation.
• This club is an offshoot of the university's drama society.

Generally used to refer to someone's children or the young of an animal; it is more neutral and biological in nature.

• The mother tiger was very protective of her offspring.
• His offspring inherit his entrepreneurial spirit.

Typically used to describe a person who follows another in a role, position, or office, often implying a transfer of duties or responsibilities.

• The CEO's successor was announced at the annual meeting.
• She trained her successor carefully before retiring.

Use this when referring to a person who is a direct lineage from an ancestor. The term is often used in genealogy or historical contexts.

• She is a direct descendant of the famous poet
• The family reunion was attended by many descendants of the original settlers

This term is mainly used to describe direct lines of descent, particularly in legal or genealogical documents. It implies a straight, uninterrupted line of ancestry.

• He is a lineal descendant of the country's founder
• The rules apply only to lineal descendants

This term is appropriate when talking about traits, diseases, or titles passed down from one generation to another through genetic or familial inheritance. It is often used in medical or legal contexts.

• Hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis are passed down through the family genes
• The title of the duke is hereditary in their family

Typically used when referring to traits, properties, or wealth received from previous generations. It's most commonly used in general conversation and finance.

• She inherited her grandmother's necklace
• His deep blue eyes were inherited from his father