grandfatherly

[ gran-fah-ther-lee, grand- ]

adjective

1. of or characteristic of a grandfather.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grandfatherly¹

First recorded in 1815–25; grandfather + -ly

Example Sentences

No one among the 25 wealthiest avoided as much tax as Buffett, the grandfatherly centibillionaire, who has long called for higher tax rates on the wealthy.

From ProPublica

Plummer’s death Friday hit me, as a father, particularly hard, as I consider Plummer’s Captain von Trapp as a grandfatherly figure while I struggle to find my own way as a dad.

From Washington Post

"I reckon this would be another clock," said the Gentle Shepherd, staring at a grandfatherly shape in the corner.

From Project Gutenberg

Isn't it really amusing to see the grandfatherly concern that Bolton has for our cooking-stove?

From Project Gutenberg

I learned to milk when I was a shaver on my vacations at a grandfatherly farm.

From Project Gutenberg

"I wish our grandfatherly minds had managed as well," said Jeff.

From Project Gutenberg

We have never given either voice or vote for any form of injustice, however specious, or plausible, or grandfatherly.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Grandfatherly

What does grandfatherly mean?

Grandfatherly is an adjective that most commonly means like a grandfather. It’s especially used in a positive way to describe someone as being kind, nurturing, and protective—like a good grandfather who loves and cares for his grandchild(ren).

Describing someone as grandfatherly often implies that they listen and give good advice—it’s perhaps most commonly used in the phrase grandfatherly advice.

Grandfatherly is most often used to describe grandfathers themselves, but it can be applied to someone who’s not a grandfather, as in After my grandfather died, I started relying on my Great Uncle Joe for grandfatherly support.

Grandfatherly is one of many similar adjectives based on family relations, including motherly, fatherly, grandmotherly, brotherly, and sisterly.

Example: Many of my most important life lessons came in the form of grandfatherly advice from my kindly Grandpa George.

Where does grandfatherly come from?

The word grandfatherly has been used since at least the 1700s. The suffix -ly is often used to form adverbs, but in the case of grandfatherly it means “like” (i.e., like a grandfather).

The common meaning of grandfatherly is based not on any grandfather but on a good grandfather, one who is kind and supportive. The phrase grandfatherly advice typically refers to advice that’s wise, comes from experience, and is intended to help you be the best you can be. Such advice can come from your actual grandfather or from someone who treats you in a grandfatherly way.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for grandfatherly?

• grandfatherlike

What are some words that share a root or word element with grandfatherly? 

 

• grandfather
• fatherly
• motherly
• grandmotherly
• brotherly
• sisterly

What are some words that often get used in discussing grandfatherly?

• advice
• counsel
• support
• talk
• kind
• patient
• wise
• supportive
• loving

How is grandfatherly used in real life?

Grandfatherly is usually used in a positive way to describe a man or something he does as being like a good grandfather. It can be applied to grandfathers or people who are not grandfathers.

Former Dragon Zack Weiss had a great 2015 season, thanks to a little grandfatherly advice. https://t.co/C11YcH6Khj

— Dayton Dragons (@DragonsBaseball) November 16, 2015

Grandfatherly advice today. Play outside this morning kids cause the rain with colder temperatures is coming this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/uZaWaaiXZf

— Bill Leslie (@wralbleslie) November 7, 2017

 

I want the ability to be able to call Gandalf whenever to get some grandfatherly advice

— Tyler May (@TylerMayMedia) September 26, 2018

Try using grandfatherly!

Which of the following actions could be described as grandfatherly?

1. giving you good advice
2. comforting you
3. cheering you on
4. all of the above