# forebears

/ˈfɔɹˌbɛɹz/ (US) · /fˈɔːbeəz/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/forebears
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

people in your family or community who lived long before you were born — your ancestors from the past.

For teachers: ancestors from earlier generations, especially of a family, people, or cultural tradition.

## Examples

- We remember our forebears on this special day.
- The family keeps old letters from their forebears in a wooden box in the attic.
- Unlike their forebears who farmed the same valley for centuries, the younger generation seeks work in distant cities.

## Synonyms

ancestor, predecessor, forefather

## Antonyms

descendant

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.