Daughter

Definition

Daughter is a noun that refers to a female child in relation to her parents. It signifies the biological or adopted relationship between a female child and her parents or guardians.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdɔːtər/
• Respelling: DAW-ter

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdɔːtə/
• Respelling: DAW-tuh

Etymology

The word "daughter" originates from the Old English "dohtor," which has Germanic roots in "dochter" (Dutch) and "tochter" (German). It is also connected to the Proto-Indo-European root "dhugater," which means "daughter," with similar terms appearing in languages across the Indo-European family.

Derivatives

• Daughterly (adjective)
• Granddaughter (noun)
• Daughter-in-law (noun)
• Stepdaughter (noun)
• Daughterhood (noun)

Synonyms

• Child
• Female offspring
• Girl

Antonyms

• Son
• Father
• Mother

Usage

The noun "daughter" is commonly used to identify a female child in familial relationships, such as "She is the daughter of the famous writer." It appears frequently in both formal and informal contexts when describing family members.

Related Terms

• Parent: A person’s mother or father.
• Son: A male child in relation to his parents.
• Sister: A female sibling.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A female child in relation to her parents: Refers to a person’s female offspring.
  • Example: "They are proud of their daughter for her achievements."
• A female descendant: Sometimes used more broadly to indicate female lineage.
  • Example: "She is the daughter of an influential family."