Lineal: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in contexts that involve direct ancestry or heritage, particularly in legal or genealogical terms.

• He is a lineal descendant of the royal family.
• The property was inherited by the lineal heir.

Appropriate for situations where events or actions follow a specific order, particularly in processes, instructions, or stories.

• The instructions must be followed in a sequential manner.
• The story unfolded in a sequential sequence of events.

Used for explaining something that is easy to understand, clear, and direct, usually in spoken or written communication.

• The explanation was straightforward and easy to follow.
• He gave a straightforward response to the question.

Best used in scenarios that involve gradual improvement, development, or innovation, often in social, political, or technological contexts.

• He has a progressive view on education.
• The disease showed progressive symptoms over time.

Used in contexts related to family lineage or direct descent, emphasizing a straight, unbroken line from an ancestor.

• He claimed to be the lineal descendant of the village's founder
• The property will go to the lineal heirs

Appropriate when emphasizing immediate descent without intermediaries, used in both family and non-family contexts.

• She is a direct descendant of the royal family
• The instructions came directly from the CEO

Best suited when referring to something that belongs to or comes from ancestors, often highlights tradition or heritage.

• They visited their ancestral homestead every summer
• The necklace was an ancestral heirloom passed down for generations

Used to indicate possession or qualities received from predecessors, either genetically or through legacy, with a neutral or positive tone.

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