brotherly
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
adverb
Usage
What does brotherly mean? Brotherly is an adjective that most commonly means like a brother. It’s especially used in a positive way to describe someone as being loyal, supportive, and protective—like a good brother who loves and cares about you. Describing someone as brotherly sometimes implies that they’re like an older brother who can give good advice. The word fraternal can be used to mean the same thing, but it can also be used in a more neutral way that doesn’t imply these positive things. Brotherly is most often used to describe brothers themselves and the brotherly things they do, but it can be applied to someone who’s not a brother, as in I don’t have a brother, but I always rely on Joe for brotherly support. It’s sometimes used in a more general way to describe behavior based on treating others with respect and affection, as if they were family members. The word neighborly is similar. Brotherly can also be used as an adverb meaning in the manner of a brother. Brotherly is one of many similar terms based on family relations, including sisterly, motherly, fatherly, grandmotherly, and grandfatherly. Example: I’m lucky that my brothers and I have always shared a brotherly affection—we all support each other.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of brotherly
before 1000; Middle English; Old English brōthorlīc. See brother, -ly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sanchez echoed Macron's comments, saying if the UK asks to rejoin "then of course Spain would applaud it and open its arms again to a brotherly people".
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
Egg, who is revealed to be Prince Aegon V Targaryen, has never known brotherly love or witnessed goodness in action until he meets Dunk, one of the lowest of the lowborn.
From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026
It was a brotherly battle at UCLA’s spring football game on a clear Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2026
It has a historic relationship with Iran, a shared border and regularly refers to its "brotherly" relationship with the country.
From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2026
He threw his arm around her shoulders with a brotherly squeeze.
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
