Word
posterity
Phoneticspos·ter·i·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/pɑˈstɛɹəti/
UK/pɒstˈɛɹɪti/
In Japanese
posterity; future generations; future life
これらの絵は後世の人々のためにここに残される。
These paintings will be left here for posterity. Tatoeba
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR. All sources.
Definition
n. the people who will live in the future. You use this word when you want to talk about how your actions or creations will be remembered by those who come after you.
n. the future generation of people; the descendants of those who are currently living. Often used in the context of historical legacy or long-term impact.
Examples
“The artist hoped his paintings would be remembered by posterity.”
“The historian argued that the treaty would be judged by posterity as a necessary step toward peace.”
“While the immediate consequences of the policy were controversial, its long-term benefits were designed to ensure that future generations, or posterity, would inherit a more stable and prosperous world.”
Examples
simple
“The artist hoped his paintings would be remembered by posterity.”
contextual
“The historian argued that the treaty would be judged by posterity as a necessary step toward peace.”
complex
“While the immediate consequences of the policy were controversial, its long-term benefits were designed to ensure that future generations, or posterity, would inherit a more stable and prosperous world.”
Real-World Examples
“Safe to say posterity cares for Shakespeare more than Home, but the performance of Douglas remains a symbolic flashpoint.” “Florry’s next album will have a Broadway show tune and a Caribbean rock song, says Medosch, hence her pleasure in this moment being captured for posterity.” Etymology
Late 14th century, from Middle French posterité, from Latin posteritas, from posterus (“following, coming after”), from post (“after”) (English post-).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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 C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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