motherly

American  

[muhth-er-lee] / ˈmʌð ər li /

adjective

1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a mother; maternal.

   motherly solicitude.

2. like a mother.

   to take a motherly interest in an orphan.

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adverb

1. in the manner of a mother.

motherly British  

/ ˈmʌðəlɪ /

adjective

1. of or resembling a mother, esp in warmth, or protectiveness

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Usage

What does motherly mean? Motherly is an adjective that most commonly means like a mother. It’s especially used in a positive way to describe someone as being kind, nurturing, and protective—like a good mother who loves and cares for her child(ren).Describing someone as motherly often implies that they listen and give good advice—it’s perhaps most commonly used in the phrase motherly advice.The word maternal 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, and the same is true of the word parental (which can be used regardless of the parent’s gender).Sometimes, motherly means of or suitable for a mother, as in motherly instincts.Motherly is most often used to describe mothers themselves, but it can be applied to someone who’s not a mother, as in After my mom died, I started relying on Jane for motherly support. Motherly can be used as an adverb meaning in the manner of a mother, but this is not as common.Motherly is one of many similar adjectives based on family relations, including fatherly, grandfatherly, grandmotherly, brotherly, and sisterly.Example: When my stepmom first moved in with us, I could tell that she was trying really hard to be motherly, and it showed me that she cared.

Other Word Forms

• motherliness noun
• unmotherly adjective

Etymology

Origin of motherly

First recorded before 1000; Middle English moderly, Old English mōdorlīc. See mother ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

His aunt’s sigh was somewhere between exasperated and tender, the most motherly sound she’d ever made to him.

From Literature

Just in a way Coal would have described as motherly, if he really knew what that was.

From Literature

“But do our children need such concern or do we slyly foster it clinging to our motherly purpose?”

From Los Angeles Times

She noted my American accent and told me with gentle, motherly scorn that I shouldn’t be traveling while pregnant.

From Salon

She’s adopted a motherly expression—stern eyes, tight lips, and a disapproving frown.

From Literature