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

This was the environment Ms Shone believes Ethan was entering when he went to live with his maternal grandparents for seven weeks after his mother split from his father, Will Griffiths.

From BBC

We saw this play out with the “Momala” meme, when pundits and influencers openly hoped that Harris was maternal enough to unite a party that had been torn apart by Biden’s mismanagement.

From Salon

Pregnant women deserve the same treatment for their pain that others receive, said Elizabeth Langen, a maternal foetal medicine specialist at Michigan Medicine.

From BBC

They also recognised that it was still important for treating maternal fever and pain.

From BBC

Isis symbolizes healing and maternal love and was worshiped from England to Afghanistan during the time of the Roman Empire.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• parental