maternal

American  

[muh-tur-nl] / məˈtɜr nl /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother.

   maternal instincts.

2. related through a mother.

   his maternal aunt.

3. derived from a mother.

   maternal genes.

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maternal British  

/ məˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of a mother

2. related through the mother's side of the family

   his maternal uncle

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Other Word Forms

• maternalism noun
• maternalistic adjective
• maternally adverb
• nonmaternal adjective
• nonmaternally adverb
• quasi-maternal adjective
• quasi-maternally adverb
• unmaternal adjective
• unmaternally adverb

Etymology

Origin of maternal

1475–85; < Medieval Latin māternālis, equivalent to Latin mātern ( us ) ( māter mother ¹ + -nus adj. suffix) + -ālis -al ¹

Compare meaning

How does maternal compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• maternal vs. fraternal

Example Sentences

Until recently, his only comfort was a large orangutan plush toy that some brilliant member of staff gifted him as a tool for muscle building and maternal replacement.

From Los Angeles Times

Gauff says she feels confident giving honest answers when asked about politics, partly because of her maternal grandmother.

From BBC

Both are considered safe during all stages of pregnancy and are recommended to help safeguard both maternal and infant health.

From Science Daily

A common theme among the 15 families who make up Truth for Our Babies is that UH Sussex did not listen to maternal concerns, either before birth or during labour.

From BBC

Currently, paid maternal leave is a little under four months for a first child, while fathers are allowed 25 days off after a birth.

From Barron's

Related Words

• parental