granddaddy

noun

grand·​dad·​dy ˈgran-ˌda-dē 

variants or less commonly grandaddy

1

: grandfather sense 1a

2

: one that is the first, earliest, or most venerable of its kind

Synonyms

• ancestor
• antecedent
• archetype
• daddy
• foregoer
• forerunner
• precursor
• predecessor
• prototype

Examples of granddaddy in a Sentence

the granddaddy of all English mystery novels

Recent Examples on the Web

Wary old brown trout the size of a person’s thigh, granddaddy animals that would never otherwise condescend to feed by daylight upon floating insects, came up off the bottom for this banquet. —David Quammen, Outside Online, 29 Nov. 2024

Trump’s directive repeals a series of executive orders promoting affirmative action in government, including the granddaddy of them all, President Lyndon ... —Rich Lowry, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025

Well, the granddaddy of them all was former President Gerald Ford's pardon of former President Richard Nixon in 1974 for allegations or accusations associated with the Watergate scandal. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025

The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for granddaddy

• addy
• caddie
• caddy
• daddy
• gaddi
• laddie
• paddy