Word
parentage
Phoneticsparent·age
US/ˈpɛɹəntədʒ/
UK/pˈeəɹəntɪdʒ/
Definition
n. the fact of being a parent or the relationship between a child and their parents. It can also mean the origin or source of something.
n. the state or condition of being a parent; the relationship between a child and their biological or adoptive parents. Also refers to the origin or source of something, such as a tradition or a piece of art.
Examples
“The child's parentage was a mystery for many years.”
“The museum's collection includes several paintings whose parentage remains a subject of intense debate among art historians.”
“While the legal parentage of the heir was established through a formal adoption, the emotional bond with the biological family remained a significant source of tension throughout his life.”
Examples
simple
“The child's parentage was a mystery for many years.”
contextual
“The museum's collection includes several paintings whose parentage remains a subject of intense debate among art historians.”
complex
“While the legal parentage of the heir was established through a formal adoption, the emotional bond with the biological family remained a significant source of tension throughout his life.”
Real-World Examples
“Its fruity zest and bracingly tart juice is a result of its mixed parentage – a natural cross between a mandarin orange and the wild Ichang lemon.” “This time out, Zorro’s parentage is a mix of Spanish and Indian, and his best friend, Bernardo, is Indian.” “The plot twist – a feature of scholarly speculation since 1937, Harris’s afterword tells us – concerns the real parentage of the apparently low-born Agrippa.” Etymology
From Middle French, from Old French parentage.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/parentage