maternal

[muh-tur-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.

maternal

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of maternal¹

C15: from Medieval Latin māternālis, from Latin māternus, from māter mother

Example Sentences

“I cannot explain it myself! For some reason, being around so many young people has made me feel somehow—what is the word?—maternal?”

Read more on Literature

“And shopping, too. I will miss my maternal responsibilities during your absence, of course, but I shall endure it somehow.”

Read more on Literature

“I didn’t expect you’d be in the nursery, my lady. It’s lovely that you take a maternal interest in the children, I must say. . . .”

Read more on Literature

They can also refer you to maternal mental health support to help you manage the emotional impacts of living with PGP.

Read more on BBC

He went by his maternal grandmother’s last name professionally, as did two of his three brothers who all worked in broadcast journalism.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• parental