Definition

A woman who is an ancestor, meaning she is from an earlier generation in a family line.

Example

My great-grandmother is a foremother who lived over a century ago.

Conversation

I just learned about my family tree and found out our foremother was a pioneer.

That's so cool! It's amazing to think about where we come from.

Yeah, I never realized how strong she was until now.

It's inspiring to know we have such strong women in our history.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Foremother → It is formed from "fore-" (meaning before or in front of) and "mother" (from Old English "modor", meaning female parent). The word "foremother" refers to a female ancestor or a mother from whom one is descended, emphasizing her position before the current generation.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'mother' who came 'before' you — 'fore-' means before, and 'mother' refers to a female parent. This helps you remember that a foremother is an ancestor or a mother from the past.

Visually Confused Words