# incestuous

/ˌɪnˈsɛstʃwəs/ (US) · /ɪnsˈɛstʃuːəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/incestuous
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

describing a sexual relationship between people who are closely related by blood. It can also describe a situation where a small group of people only deal with each other, like a family business.

For teachers: relating to or involving sexual relations between close blood relatives. In a figurative sense, it describes a situation where a small group operates in isolation from the outside world, such as a family-run business or a closed social circle.

## Examples

- The family business is so incestuous that everyone is related.
- The committee was criticized for being incestuous, as all the members were former colleagues from the same university department.

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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.