forebear Definition
- 1an ancestor
- 2a person who existed in the past
Using forebear: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "forebear" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
My forebears came from Ireland.
Example
She is proud of her Native American forebears.
Example
Our forebears fought for our freedom.
forebear Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for forebear
- forerunner
- precursor
- ancestor
Phrases with forebear
a person or thing that existed before and influenced the development of something
Example
The Model T was a forebear of the modern automobile.
Example
He is a direct forebear to the famous author.
Example
The forebear of their family was a famous explorer.
Origins of forebear
from Old English 'forebēor', meaning 'ancestor'
Summary: forebear in Brief
'Forebear' [ˈfɔːbeə(r)] refers to an ancestor or a person who existed in the past. It can be used to describe one's own ancestors, as in 'My forebears came from Ireland,' or to refer to historical figures, as in 'The Model T was a forebear of the modern automobile.'