forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfȯr-ˌfä-t͟hər 

1

: ancestor sense 1a

2

: a person of an earlier period and common heritage

Synonyms of forefather

• ancestor
• grandfather
• father

Examples of forefather in a Sentence

our forefathers bought this farm, and our family has worked it for three generations

Recent Examples on the Web

Wulf pays overdue homage to an intellectual titan and forefather of linguistics and natural history. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

But the truth is that our forefathers were sufficiently individualistic to be iconoclastic. — Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

Like its forefather, the Barreda Mary Janes have three stripes, a low profile, and a round toe. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 14 June 2026

Kelly was one of the most prominent Black fashion designers of the 1980s, and his peers included Willi Smith, known as a forefather of modern-day streetwear, and Dapper Dan, a beloved auteur of hip-hop haberdashery. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forefather

• bother
• father
• godfather
• grandfather
• stepfather

Kids Definition

forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfō(ə)r-ˌfät͟h-ər 

ˈfȯ(ə)r-, 

-ˌfȧt͟h-

1

: ancestor sense 1

2

: a person of an earlier period and similar culture