great-grandson: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal to neutral; common in genealogical, legal, familial, and historical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “great-grandson” mean?
A male descendant who is three generations removed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A male descendant who is three generations removed; the son of one's grandchild.
The term denotes a specific lineal relationship within a family, emphasizing generational distance and direct descent. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate a spiritual or intellectual heir separated by significant time or tradition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Hyphenation is slightly more consistently applied in British English.
Connotations
Carries connotations of family legacy, ancestry, and continuity. In both dialects, it can evoke a sense of historical connection or familial pride.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects, with frequency rising in contexts discussing aging populations, family history, or inheritance.
Grammar
How to Use “great-grandson” in a Sentence
[possessive pronoun] great-grandsonthe great-grandson of [person][person]'s great-grandsonVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great-grandson” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He is my great-grandson.
- A great-grandson relationship.
American English
- She is a great-grandson's guardian.
- The great-grandson connection.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of family-owned businesses discussing succession (e.g., 'The company passed to the founder's great-grandson.')
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or genealogical research discussing lineage and kinship patterns.
Everyday
Common in family discussions, announcements, and storytelling (e.g., 'My great-grandson just started school.').
Technical
Precise term in legal documents (wills, trusts), genealogy software, and anthropology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great-grandson”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great-grandson”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great-grandson”
- Using 'grandson' instead of 'great-grandson'.
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'great-grandsons' (correct), not 'great-grandson's' (possessive) or 'great-grandson'.
- Misspelling as 'great grand son' without hyphens.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Add 'great-' for each generation beyond grandson. A great-great-grandson is four generations removed (son of your great-grandchild).
No common shorter equivalent exists. In informal family contexts, terms like 'my grandson's boy' or simply using the name are common.
No, the specifically male term is 'great-grandson'. The female equivalent is 'great-granddaughter'.
The singular possessive is 'great-grandson's' (e.g., my great-grandson's toy). The plural possessive is 'great-grandsons'' (e.g., my great-grandsons' school).
A male descendant who is three generations removed.
Great-grandson: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈɡræn.sʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈɡræn.sʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GREAT distance + GRANDparent + SON = a son born a great distance (three generations) down the line from you.
Conceptual Metaphor
LINEAGE IS A CHAIN: Each 'great-' represents another link in the generational chain extending from the ancestor.
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct definition of 'great-grandson'?