families

[fam-uh-leez, fam-leez] / ˈfæm ə liz, ˈfæm liz /

NOUN

kin, offspring; classification

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clan folk group house household people tribe

STRONG

ancestors ancestry birth blood brood children class descendants descent dynasty extraction forebears genealogy generations genre in-laws inheritance issue kind kindred line lineage network parentage pedigree progenitors progeny race relations relationship relatives siblings strain subdivision system

WEAK

heirs and assigns kith and kin menage ménage

Antonyms

STRONG

parent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For the families of the incarcerated, this original debut suggests, freedom can be as elusive as it is for the prisoners.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

"We understand that needs will differ and may change over time and would welcome the chance to meet with families to understand how we can continue to help," the council added.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Unable to return to the south, some displaced families are sharing the cost of purchasing satellite images -- at $140 -- to catch a glimpse of their hometowns.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

This is something both of us do with multiple generations of our families, helping us engage with language learning in a lighthearted way.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

I had imagined a few families gathered on flannel blankets, eating hot dogs and popsicles.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller