paternal

[puh-tur-nl]

adjective

1. characteristic of or befitting a father; fatherly.

   a kind and paternal reprimand.

2. of or relating to a father.

3. related on the father's side.

   one's paternal grandfather.

4. derived or inherited from a father.

   paternal traits.

paternal

/ pəˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of a father, esp in showing affection, encouragement, etc; fatherly

2. (prenominal) related through the father

   his paternal grandfather

3. inherited or derived from the male parent

Other Word Forms

• paternally adverb
• nonpaternal adjective
• nonpaternally adverb
• unpaternal adjective
• unpaternally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternal¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Old French paternel, from Late Latin paternālis, equivalent to Latin patern(us) “paternal” ( pater father + -nus adjective suffix) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of paternal¹

C17: from Late Latin paternālis, from Latin pater father

Synonym Study

See fatherly.

Example Sentences

She has taken several unusual moves in her career, most notably switching international allegiance from England – where she was born and who she represented at youth level – to Nigeria, the nation of her paternal grandfather.

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Members of Ethan's paternal family have told BBC Wales Michael Ives was abusive and controlling, and worried he would lose power over his daughter Shannon if she was in a relationship.

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They all get along fine, though Jake battles that most common of TV paternal ailments, Busy Dad Syndrome.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For Lee, there’s something more paternal around the band’s lengthy catalog.

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Sheeran replied that he had two paternal Irish grandparents, an Irish parent, an Irish passport, and a childhood filled with Irish summer holidays.

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Related Words

• benevolent