progeny

USAGE SUMMARY

'progeny' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that refers to descendants or offspring, and is most often used in a figurative or biblical sense. For example, you could say: "The founder's progeny would continue to influence and shape the company's business decisions for many years to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She hasn't tried soft since her maiden days but progeny of Mastercraftsman have tended to cope.

The Guardian - Sport

The progeny of the 1948 refugees are now in their millions.

The Economist

(The precise figure is hard to calculate; many displaced Greeks have died or moved far away, but their progeny may make claims).In this section Managing the right of return Bargaining chips, anyone?

The Economist

A new protagonist who had for some time been watching and learning in the wings stepped on to the stage and d'Annunzio was brushed aside by his own monstrous progeny in the person of Mussolini.

The Economist

The commune, whose thousand or so residents are almost all progeny of the male founders, follows the precepts of the breakaway Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints based in Utah.

The Economist

With their competitors all dead, the progeny of a mosquito carrying a mutation that can neutralise the insecticide in question have the world to themselves.The upshot is that discovering a way to retain the anti-malarial benefits of insecticides without provoking an evolutionary response would be a significant breakthrough.

The Economist

Most would agree that the best pranks offer more than just deception, mischievousness or ridicule, and that much of the genre dished up on television now the mutant progeny of shows like "Candid Camera"—falls well short of the mark.

The Economist

The other is to have but a few progeny and to dote on them, ensuring that they grow up with every possible advantage for the ensuing struggle with their peers for mates and resources.

The Economist

(Sons spend less time minding their progeny than their spouses do).The main obstacle to testing the grandmother hypothesis, as it has come to be known, is that most studies have involved small numbers of people, making it hard to draw sweeping conclusions.

The Economist

The Father and Son Business Meeting, an annual get-together for plutocrats and their progeny started by Carlos Slim (pictured), the richest of them all, was due to get under way on May 1st in Lima.The guest list of the event is always a closely guarded secret.

The Economist

A single stem cell will divide continuously and form a spherical colony consisting of its progeny.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "progeny" when you want to emphasize the lineage or the idea of something being produced by or resulting from something else.

Common error

Avoid using "progeny" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "children" or "offspring" unless you specifically aim for a formal or elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "progeny" is as a noun, referring to descendants or offspring. It functions as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, examples include referring to the "progeny" of refugees or the "progeny" of a mosquito.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "progeny" is a noun that refers to descendants or offspring, frequently found in formal and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, though more common in formal writing and news media than in casual conversation. The word's semantic weight lends itself to discussions of lineage, legacy, and outcomes, distinguishing it from simpler synonyms like "children" or "offspring". When choosing "progeny", consider the tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offspring

A general term for children or descendants.

descendants

Refers specifically to individuals who come after in a lineage.

issue

A more formal or legal term for children, often used in wills or legal documents.

posterity

Future generations, often with a focus on legacy.

seed

Used figuratively to mean descendants or origin.

inheritors

Focuses on those who receive something from a predecessor, literally or figuratively.

successors

Those who follow after, particularly in a role or position.

fruit of one's loins

A more archaic and figurative way to refer to one's children.

get

A dated term for offspring, especially in animal breeding.

outcome

More abstract, referring to the results or consequences of something.

FAQs

How to use "progeny" in a sentence?

Use "progeny" to refer to descendants or offspring, often in a formal or literary context. For example, "The founder's progeny continued the family business."

What can I say instead of "progeny"?

You can use alternatives like "offspring", "descendants", or "issue" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "progeny" or "offspring"?

Both "progeny" and "offspring" are correct, but "progeny" is generally more formal and less frequently used in everyday language.

What's the difference between "progeny" and "descendants"?

"Progeny" is a general term for offspring or descendants, while "descendants" specifically refers to individuals who come after in a lineage.