What does son mean?
A son is a male child of a parent or parents. In ordinary family conversation, the word is used directly to identify a boy or young man, as in “Their son lives abroad.” It can also have a broader formal or religious meaning, referring to a male descendant or to someone regarded as belonging to a family, community, or divine relationship. The word is used in both British and American English and is generally neutral, though its connotations depend on context: it may convey affection in family conversation, pride in an announcement, or solemnity in a religious or historical setting. Expressions such as “only son” and “son and heir” emphasize particular social roles, while “son of God” and “sons of the soil” introduce figurative or collective senses. Compared with the more formal “male child” or “male descendant,” son is especially common in personal and familial contexts.
A male child of a parent or parents.
"Their son was born just before the wedding."
The basic and most common sense. It may also refer to an adult male offspring.
A male descendant or a person regarded as a spiritual or familial offspring.
"The speech described him as a son of the people."
This extended sense is chiefly formal, historical, or religious.
The regular plural is used for multiple male children or male descendants.
"The couple have three sons."
The word son has been used in English for more than a thousand years, connecting family language with an Old English word whose Germanic relatives still appear across Europe.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of son
The English word descends from Old English sunu, meaning “male child” or “son.” It reflects the Germanic word *sunuz, which also appears in cognates such as German Sohn and Gothic sunus, as well as related forms in other ancient Indo-European languages. In Middle English, son continued the inherited form and gradually replaced several older variants. Its modern sense remains closely tied to the basic family relationship, with extended uses developing through religious, historical, and metaphorical contexts.
How son is actually used
In everyday use, son usually means a male child. In formal or religious contexts, it can refer to a male descendant or a spiritual or familial relationship, as in “son of God.”
Easily confused with son
A son is a male child or descendant, whereas the sun is the star that gives light and heat to Earth.