Definition of FOREFATHER

forefather

Meanings

Plural: forefathers

Noun

  • the founder of a family
    • "keep the faith of our forefathers"
  • person from an earlier time who contributed to the tradition shared by some group
    • "our forefathers brought forth a great nation"
  • An ancestor.
  • A cultural ancestor; one who originated an idea or tradition.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English forefader, forfader, vorvader, from Old English fōrefæder (“forefather”), but possibly also merged with Old Norse forfaðir. Equivalent to fore- + father. Compare Dutch voorvader (“forefather”), German Vorvater, Vorfahr (“forefather”), Danish forfader (“forefather”), Swedish förfader (“forefather”).

Synonyms

father, sire

Scrabble Score: 19

forefather is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
forefather is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
forefather is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

forefather is a valid Words With Friends word