pedigreed

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Having a recorded line of ancestors, especially from good or pure stock; used mainly of animals.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: a pedigreed dog. It is not usually used after a verb, and it is not used of people (say 'a person with a good pedigree').

   Patterns

   • a pedigreed animal
   • a pedigreed dog/horse/cat

   She bought a pedigreed puppy from a registered breeder.

   The farm raises pedigreed cattle for shows.

   Only pedigreed horses are allowed to enter this race.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounfigurative

   Having a well-documented and respected background or origin, as of a family, institution, or product.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, often in a slightly formal or figurative way: a pedigreed family, a pedigreed brand.

   Patterns

   • a pedigreed family
   • a pedigreed institution

   He comes from a pedigreed family that has lived here for generations.

   The company has a pedigreed history in luxury goods.

Common combinations

pedigreed dog

A pedigreed dog often comes with papers showing its ancestry.

pedigreed horse

The stable is known for its pedigreed horses.

pedigreed cat

Pedigreed cats can be expensive to buy and care for.

highly pedigreed

The kennel specializes in highly pedigreed animals.

Synonyms and how they differ

purebred

Purebred means both parents are of the same breed; pedigreed emphasizes that the ancestry is officially recorded.

thoroughbred

Thoroughbred is often used for a specific breed of horse and suggests careful breeding; pedigreed is broader.

well-bred

Well-bred often describes good manners in people or animals; pedigreed is about recorded ancestry.

Opposites

Word family

pedigree noun

The record of ancestry, or an animal with such a record.

Commonly confused: pedigreed or pedigree?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pedigreed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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