Definition

Relating to or coming from a person's ancestors, which are their family members from previous generations.

Example

She visited her ancestral home to learn more about her family's history.

Conversation

I just learned that our family has an ancestral home in Italy.

That's amazing! Do you plan to visit it someday?

Yes, I want to explore my ancestral roots and see where my great-grandparents lived.

That sounds like a great adventure! You'll have to share all the stories with me.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ancestral → It is formed from "ancestor" (from Latin "antecessor", meaning one who goes before) and "-al" (meaning pertaining to). The word "ancestral" refers to something that pertains to one's ancestors or forebears.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ancestor' as someone who 'goes before' you in your family line, and the '-al' means it relates to them. This helps you remember that 'ancestral' refers to things related to your ancestors.

Visually Confused Words