Offspring: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：children and young animals (offspring)

offspring 🔊

/ˈɑːf.sprɪŋ/

The children or young animals of a particular parent.

Offspring meaning illustrated by a protective deer parent with playful fawns in a forest scene.

children and young animals 🔊

➕

/ˈtʃɪldrən ənd jʌŋ ˈænɪməlz/

Refers to the direct progeny or young of a parent, applicable to both humans and animals.

📁 Category：Animal Protection 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'ofspring', combining 'of' (away) and 'spring' (to leap, grow), meaning descendants.

💡 Mnemonic

Off + spring: imagine children springing off from their parents like new branches.

📖 Example

Offspring often inherit both physical traits and personality quirks from their parents. 🔊 Children and young animals frequently inherit both physical characteristics and personality traits from their parents.

🔗 Collocations

healthy offspring – progeny that are in good physical condition

male offspring – sons or male descendants

produce offspring – to give birth to or generate young

🔄 Synonyms

children (n.) – young humans, especially in relation to their parents

progeny (n.) – offspring or descendants, often used in formal contexts

descendants (n.) – people or animals that are the offspring of a particular ancestor

🚫 Antonyms

ancestor (n.) – a person or organism from whom one is descended

parent (n.) – a father or mother who produces offspring

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old English, related to German 'Abkömmling'. Commonly used in biology for progeny and legal contexts for heirs, reflecting lineage continuity.