intergenerational

IPA/ˌɪntəˌdʒenəˈreɪʃənl/
KK[ˌɪntɚdʒˈɛnɚˈeʃənəl]IPA/ˌɪntərˌdʒenəˈreɪʃənl/

intergenerational — adjective

  • intergenerationalpositive
  • more intergenerationalcomparative
  • most intergenerationalsuperlative

1. linking people from older and younger age groups, or describing an effect, activ

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

linking people from older and younger age groups, or describing an effect, activity, or relationship that passes between them

Example

The museum started an intergenerational art class for grandparents and teenagers.

intergenerational + noun

Karim's report traced how debt created intergenerational stress in the family.

intergenerational stress

Common collocations
  • intergenerational trauma
  • intergenerational conflict
  • intergenerational dialogue
  • intergenerational program
  • intergenerational relationship
  • intergenerational housing
  • intergenerational justice
  • intergenerational wealth
Synonyms
  • generational

    broader; can describe one age group or a divide between age groups without direct interaction

  • multigenerational

    emphasizes several generations existing together, often in one family or household

  • cross-generational

    less common; often used for communication, style, or appeal across age groups

Grammar Patterns

intergenerational + noun

Usage Note

Usually appears before a noun in education, health, housing, and policy contexts, as in intergenerational trauma, intergenerational housing, or intergenerational justice. Distinguish it from generational, which can describe one age group or a gap between age groups without direct contact between them.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words relate to generations, but they focus on different ideas. Intergenerational specifically describes contact, influence, or movement between older and younger groups, so an intergenerational program brings them together. Generational is broader and can simply describe one age cohort or a difference between age groups, as in a generational divide. Multigenerational emphasizes that several generations exist together, often inside one family or household. Hereditary is narrower and usually concerns traits, illnesses, or rights passed down by birth rather than social interaction between age groups.

intergenerational ↗generational ↗multigenerational ↗hereditary ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • intergenerational trauma
  • intergenerational conflict
  • intergenerational program

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Built in modern English from the prefix 'inter-', meaning 'between', and 'generational', from 'generation'. It became especially common in sociology, education, and public-policy writing for relationships or effects that move between age groups.