brotherly

[ bruhth-er-lee ]

adjective

1. of, like, or befitting a brother; brother; affectionate and loyal; fraternal:

   brotherly love.

adverb

1. as a brother; brother; fraternally.

brotherly

/ ˈbrʌðəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or suitable to a brother, esp in showing loyalty and affection; fraternal

adverb

1. in a brotherly way; fraternally

Derived Forms

• ˈbrotherliness, noun

Other Words From

• brother·li·ness noun
• pseudo·brother·ly adverb
• quasi-brother·ly adjective
• un·brother·li·ness noun
• un·brother·ly adjective adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of brotherly¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English brōthorlīc. See brother, -ly

Example Sentences

But brotherly love among enemy combatants was not something that the high command encouraged.

From The Daily Beast

Bill Cosby was born July 12, 1937, in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.

From The Daily Beast

In a morning filled with brotherly love and jocularity over how everyone was getting along so well, no one wanted to offend.

From The Daily Beast

The City of Brotherly Love is closer to earning its moniker.

From The Daily Beast

One might question whether the bakers are acting in true and brotherly solidarity.

From The Daily Beast

For if there is one God, there is one brotherhood, and all humanity can only be linked to that God by brotherly love.

From Project Gutenberg

I made thy fortune along with my own in the days when we shared all things in brotherly community.

From Project Gutenberg

We spent the night in equally brotherly fashion, our beds being spread out for us side by side on the floor of the room.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I learned to know that which I felt was not a mere brotherly affection, but a deep love.

From Project Gutenberg

There were messages of brotherly interest and solicitude just as in the old days.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affectionate
• amicable
• cordial
• fraternal
• neighborly
• selfless