motherly

[ muhth-er-lee ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a mother; maternal:

   motherly solicitude.

2. like a mother:

   to take a motherly interest in an orphan.

adverb

1. in the manner of a mother.

motherly

/ ˈmʌðəlɪ /

adjective

1. of or resembling a mother, esp in warmth, or protectiveness

Derived Forms

• ˈmotherliness, noun

Other Words From

• mother·li·ness noun
• un·mother·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of motherly¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English moderly, Old English mōdorlīc. See mother ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

“You know what a Mitchum movie is,” he says, as a woman reporter from Newsweek breaks into that sexual motherly smile.

From The Daily Beast

Inevitably, poor Kate is getting binders full of advice and motherly reminiscence.

From The Daily Beast

“Diana did love him in a motherly way,” said a friend of the singer.

From The Daily Beast

She has a real motherly concern for them, but thinks they [have] too much control.

From The Daily Beast

Arline Kercher has an easy smile and an inherent motherly demeanor.

From The Daily Beast

The motherly woman received the babe instinctively and cast aside the travelling-rug in which he was enveloped.

From Project Gutenberg

What can be prettier than a brood of chickens with a good motherly hen, like the one in this picture!

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Plornish seemed to have had her motherly instincts pretty well quenched by time and poverty.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou art the help of Christians; lighten our tribulations, and help us with motherly intercession at the throne of thy divine Son.

From Project Gutenberg

He was treated with motherly kindness and tenderness, yet firmly checked when he went wrong.

From Project Gutenberg