Clan Meaning
/klæn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA group of people all descended from a common ancestor, in fact or belief, especially when the exact genealogies are not known.
nounA traditional social group of families in the Scottish Highlands having a common hereditary chieftain.
Sentence Examples
These figures are signs of a family or clan.
Recite the names of the members of the Tokugawa clan.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every member of the ____ gathered for the annual harvest festival.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The whole ____ gathered for their annual family reunion in the park.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Irish clann (“offspring, children of the family”) and Scottish Gaelic clann, both from Old Irish cland, borrowed from Old Welsh plant, itself borrowed from Latin planta (“shoot, offspring”). Doublet of plant and planta.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"As a rule, you see, I'm not lugged into Family Rows. On the occasions when Aunt is calling to Aunt like mastodons bellowing across primeval swamps and Uncle James's letter about Cousin Mabel's peculiar behaviour is being shot round the family circle... the clan has a tendency to ignore me."
— 1923, P.G. Wodehouse, The Inimitable Jeeves:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every member of the ____ gathered for the annual harvest festival.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The whole ____ gathered for their annual family reunion in the park.