great-grandfather

American  

[greyt-gran-fah-ther, -grand-] / ˌgreɪtˈgrænˌfɑ ðər, -ˈgrænd- /

noun

1. a grandfather of one's father or mother.

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Usage

What does great-grandfather mean? A great-grandfather is the father of a person’s grandparent (the grandfather of a person’s parent). When a father’s child has their own children, that father becomes a grandfather. When those children have their own children, he becomes a great-grandfather. Should great-grandfather be capitalized?Great-grandfather should be capitalized when it’s used as a proper name, as in Please tell Great-grandfather that I miss him. But great-grandfather does not need to be capitalized when it’s simply used as a way to refer to him, as in Please tell my great-grandfather that I miss him. Example: My kids were lucky enough to get to know three of their great-grandfathers.

Etymology

Origin of great-grandfather

First recorded in 1505–15

Example Sentences

Honoring her great-grandfather Cole Grove with the canary metaphor of the former, both songs celebrate personal salvation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The film's discovery has taken McFarland on another journey -- learning about the life of his great-grandfather William DeLyle Frisbee.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

In 1936, William and Harry’s great-grandfather George VI came to the throne after what threatened to be an existential crisis for the British crown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

One person who has witnessed NWT's growth first hand is assistant warden Bernard Bishop, who is following in his great-grandfather and father's footsteps.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

“Maybe. Anyway, my great-grandfather got this mud from the bottom of the river sixty-four years ago. Next to my Conestoga wagon, it’s the best thing I have.”

From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli