How to Pronounce Ancestors

To pronounce "ancestors", say ANC-est-ors — 3 syllables, IPA /ˈæn.sɛs.təz/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

ancestors

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying ancestors, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

3

Syllables

9

Letters

/ˈæn.sɛs.təz/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “ancestors”

"ancestors" has 3 syllables: anc-est-ors. It rhymes with festers and protestors, if that helps it stick.

What does ancestors mean?

noun

  1. One from whom a person is descended, whether on the father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a progenitor; a forefather.
  2. An earlier type; a progenitor

    “This fossil animal is regarded as the ancestor of the horse.”

verb

  1. To be an ancestor of.

Synonyms

originreflexsourcefore-elderforebearforefatherpredecessor

Antonyms

afterbeardescendant

Words that rhyme with ancestors

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

festersprotestorsestersprotestersinvestorssequesterspolyestersmolesterspesterstestersnestersamvestors

Related words

antecedentascendentascendantancestriesancestryantecedentsascendantscho

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "ancestors"?▾

"Ancestors" has 3 syllables: anc · est · ors.

What is the IPA transcription of "ancestors"?▾

The IPA transcription of "ancestors" is /ˈæn.sɛs.təz/.

What does "ancestors" mean?▾

Ancestors: One from whom a person is descended, whether on the father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a progenitor; a forefather.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “ancestors” in the full dictionary →