Decendent vs. Descendant — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 21, 2024
"Decendent" is an incorrect spelling; "Descendant" is the correct spelling denoting a person descended from a particular ancestor.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Decendent or Descendant
How to spell Descendant?
Decendent
Incorrect Spelling
Descendant
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Visualize a line of ancestry "descending" to the present, which includes "descendant."
"Descendant" sounds like "descending ant," emphasizing the 'ant' at the end.
Associate "descendant" with ancestry charts, focusing on the lineage.
Remember the root word "descend"; drop "d" and add "ant."
"Decendent" looks like "decent," but our focus is on lineage, not moral quality.
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How Do You Spell Descendant Correctly?
Incorrect: The museum displayed artifacts believed to belong to the decendent of the pharaohs.
Correct: The museum displayed artifacts believed to belong to the descendant of the pharaohs.
Incorrect: The book traced the family's decendent from their earliest known ancestor.
Correct: The book traced the family's descendant from their earliest known ancestor.
Incorrect: She believed she was a decendent of royalty, but had no proof.
Correct: She believed she was a descendant of royalty, but had no proof.
Incorrect: He considered himself a decendent of the ancient warriors of his country.
Correct: He considered himself a descendant of the ancient warriors of his country.
Incorrect: Their family tree showed a long line of decendent stretching back centuries.
Correct: Their family tree showed a long line of descendant stretching back centuries.
Descendant Definitions
Someone who is related to a person or group from an earlier generation.
She's a descendant of Abraham Lincoln.
An evolved version of a product or concept.
Modern computers are direct descendants of early machines.
Something deriving characteristics, qualities, or traits from an earlier form.
The modern bicycle is a descendant of the penny-farthing.
One originating or coming from an ancestral stock or source.
She is the direct descendant of the town's founder.
An outcome, result, or product of a particular situation.
His novel is a descendant of his early experiences.
One whose descent can be traced to a particular individual or group
A descendant of Queen Victoria.
Descendants of a prize-winning horse.
Something derived from a prototype or earlier form
Today's bicycles are descendants of the earlier velocipede.
In astrology, the point of the ecliptic or the sign of the zodiac that sets in the west at the time of a person's birth or other event.
Variant of descendent.
Descending; going down
The elevator resumed its descendant trajectory.
Descending from a biological ancestor.
Power in the kingdom is transferred in a descendant manner.
Proceeding from a figurative ancestor or source.
One of the progeny of a specified person, at any distance of time or through any number of generations.
The patriarch survived many descendants: five children, a dozen grandchildren, even a great grandchild.
(figuratively) A thing that derives directly from a given precursor or source.
This famous medieval manuscript has many descendants.
(biology) A later evolutionary type.
Dogs evolved as descendants of early wolves.
(linguistics) A language that is descended from another.
English and Scots are the descendants of Old English.
(linguistics) A word or form in one language that is descended from a counterpart in an ancestor language.
Descendent.
One who descends, as offspring, however remotely; - correlative to ancestor or ascendant.
Our first parents and their descendants.
The descendant of so many kings and emperors.
A person considered as descended from some ancestor or race
Going or coming down
Descendant Meaning in a Sentence
As a descendant of migrants, she felt a deep connection to two cultures.
The old man claimed to be a descendant of a knight.
She is a direct descendant of the famous composer.
The last known descendant of the dynasty passed away, ending the royal lineage.
Descendant Idioms & Phrases
Descendant of the sun
A poetic way to describe someone with a bright, radiant, or noble character.
In the tale, the hero was described as a descendant of the sun, blessed with unmatched bravery and kindness.
Direct descendant
Someone who is in the immediate line of descent from an ancestor.
The ring was passed down to each direct descendant of the family.
Proud descendant
Someone who takes pride in their ancestry and lineage.
As a proud descendant of pioneers, she cherished the family's history and legacy.
Descendant of a noble line
Referring to someone who comes from a family of high social rank or nobility.
She was recognized as a descendant of a noble line and was invited to the royal event.
Spiritual descendant
Someone who follows in the ideological or philosophical footsteps of an individual or group.
Though not related by blood, she considered herself a spiritual descendant of the famous poet.
Distant descendant
A family member who descends from a common ancestor but is many generations removed.
Through genealogical research, he discovered he was a distant descendant of the medieval king.
Last living descendant
The final surviving family member of a particular lineage.
The old mansion was inherited by the last living descendant of the original owner.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Descendant?
The verb form is "descend."
Which vowel is used before Descendant?
Depending on context, any vowel can precede "Descendant."
What is the root word of Descendant?
The root word is "descend."
What is the plural form of Descendant?
The plural form is "Descendants."
Is Descendant an adverb?
No, "Descendant" is not an adverb.
Which preposition is used with Descendant?
"Of" is commonly used, as in "descendant of."
What is the pronunciation of Descendant?
It is pronounced as /dɪˈsɛndənt/.
What is the singular form of Descendant?
The singular form is "Descendant."
Why is it called Descendant?
It's called "Descendant" because it denotes someone or something that descends from an ancestor or origin.
Which article is used with Descendant?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "Descendant."
Is the Descendant term a metaphor?
By itself, no, but it can be used metaphorically.
Which conjunction is used with Descendant?
Any conjunction can be used with "Descendant," depending on the sentence.
How many syllables are in Descendant?
Three syllables.
How do we divide Descendant into syllables?
De-scend-ant.
What is the opposite of Descendant?
Ancestor.
Which determiner is used with Descendant?
Determiners like "this," "that," "a," "an," or "the" can be used.
Is Descendant a countable noun?
Yes, you can have one, two, or many descendants.
Is the word Descendant imperative?
No, it's not imperative.
What is a stressed syllable in Descendant?
The second syllable, "scend."
Is Descendant an abstract noun?
It can be both concrete (referring to a specific person) and abstract (referring to outcomes or results).
Is Descendant a collective noun?
No, it's not a collective noun.
Is Descendant a noun or adjective?
"Descendant" is primarily a noun.
Is Descendant a vowel or consonant?
"Descendant" is a word, not a vowel or consonant.
Is the word Descendant a Gerund?
No, "Descendant" is not a gerund.
Is the word “Descendant” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Descendant" can be either, depending on its role in a sentence.
Is Descendant a negative or positive word?
Neutral. Its connotation depends on context.
What part of speech is Descendant?
"Descendant" is a noun.
What is another term for Descendant?
Offspring, heir, or progeny.
How is Descendant used in a sentence?
She discovered that she is a descendant of a famous poet.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
