grandfather paradox

[ grand-fah-ther par-uh-doks, gran- ]

/ ˈgrændˌfɑ ðər ˌpær ə dɒks, ˈgræn- /

Save This Word!

noun

(in science fiction) a paradox created by time travel in which a person travels back in time and changes something in their own past or the past of their own timeline, after which the resulting timeline is altered such that the future point from which the time travel began does not exist or is unrecognizable.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of grandfather paradox

First recorded in 1970–75

Words nearby grandfather paradox

Grand Falls, grandfather, grandfather clause, grandfather clock, grandfatherly, grandfather paradox, grandfather's chair, grandfather's clock, grand feu, grand final, grand finale

How to use grandfather paradox in a sentence

Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His grandfather, a pastor, had visited the church decades before—in the 1980s—when the church was popular within the community.
Beaten By His Church for Being Gay|Justin Jones|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But I feel like films are uniquely suited towards addressing paradox, recursiveness, and worlds-within-worlds.
Christopher Nolan Uncut: On ‘Interstellar,’ Ben Affleck’s Batman, and the Future of Mankind|Marlow Stern|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His great-grandfather, David Yellin, was a prominent Zionist scholar and Israeli pioneer.
Trans in the Holy Land: ‘Marzipan Flowers,’ Tal Kallai, and the Shattering of Israel’s LGBT Taboos|Itay Hod|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Meanwhile, his grandfather was named Marion—also the birth name of John Wayne.
‘Archer’ Season 6 Preview: Cast and Crew on Rebranding and Dropping ISIS|Marlow Stern|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He grew very restless, for it was a long time before Grandfather Mole appeared.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
But she told Grandfather Mole that it was all right—that she knew a person of his age ought not to go without his breakfast.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
And he had waited so long for Grandfather Mole that he had begun to feel hungry again.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
One thing was certain: Grandfather Mole could travel much faster through the water than he could underground.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
Then Jimmy remembered suddenly that he had to meet Grandfather Mole over there.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey