Offspring Meaning and Definition
Offspring
Pronunciation
/ˈɒfrɪŋ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The young of an animal or plant, especially a mammal or bird; a descendant.
Examples
- The offspring of a rare bird species was observed in the wild.
- The family welcomed their new offspring, a baby girl.
Synonyms
- Young
- Progeny
- Descendant
Antonyms
- Parent
- Ancestor
Etymology
From Old English offspring, from of (from Proto-Germanic iz) + spring (from Proto-Germanic sprungiz). The word has evolved over time to encompass the biological meaning of offspring, as well as the concept of descendants.
Usage Notes
When referring to animal offspring, offspring can be used interchangeably with young. However, when referring to human children, offspring is often used to emphasize their status as descendants or heirs to a particular family or legacy.
Cultural References
- Offspring is a short film by Joshua Oppenheimer, released in 2013.
- In Norse mythology, the god Odin is referred to as the father of the Offspring, a group of godlets.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Offspring of the same womb” – used to describe siblings.
- “Offspring of the same roots” – used to describe related people or groups with a shared heritage.
Related Words or Phrases
- Lineage
- Heritage
- Descent
Collocations
- Offspring of a rare species
- Next in line as offspring
Frequency of Use
Offspring is a relatively infrequently used word in modern language, but its usage is on the rise due to increased awareness of biological and ecological concepts.
Common Misspellings
- Offspring
- Offspringe