grandson: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral
Quick answer
What does “grandson” mean?
the son of one's child.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the son of one's child.
Refers to a male descendant who is two generations younger. May be used metaphorically to indicate a later, derivative form of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage patterns are identical.
Connotations
Neutral familial term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “grandson” in a Sentence
[possessive pronoun] + grandson[number/ordinal] + grandsongrandson + of + [person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Potentially in family business contexts discussing succession (e.g., 'The founder's grandson now runs the company').
Academic
Used in disciplines like sociology, anthropology, or history when discussing kinship structures or lineage.
Everyday
Very common in personal and family contexts.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grandson”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grandson”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grandson”
- Using 'grandson' for a female (correct is 'granddaughter').
- Incorrect plural: 'grandsons' (correct), not 'grandson' for plural.
- Spelling: 'grandson' not 'grand son'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The female equivalent is 'granddaughter'.
No, that relationship is 'grandnephew' or 'great-nephew'. 'Grandson' specifically refers to the child of one's own child.
The standard plural is 'grandsons'.
Yes. 'Grandchild' is gender-neutral and can refer to either a grandson or a granddaughter.
the son of one's child.
Grandson is usually neutral in register.
Grandson: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡræn(d)sʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡræn(d)sʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like grandfather, like grandson.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GRAND (meaning big or important, as in a generation gap) + SON. It's a 'grand' or second-generation son.
Conceptual Metaphor
LINEAGE IS A LINE; DESCENDANTS ARE DOWN.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary relationship described by the word 'grandson'?