What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
progenitor
Example
John Adams is considered a progenitor of American democracy. [progenitor: noun]
Example
The single-celled organism is the progenitor of all life on earth. [progenitor: adjective]
forebear
Example
My forebears came to this country in the early 1900s. [forebear: noun]
Example
The modern horse is a forebear of the prehistoric Eohippus. [forebear: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Forebear is less common than progenitor in everyday language. Progenitor is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, while forebear is more specific to genealogy or family history.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between progenitor and forebear?
Both progenitor and forebear have a formal tone and are not commonly used in everyday language. However, progenitor is more commonly used in scientific or academic contexts, while forebear is more commonly used in genealogy or family history contexts.
