fraternal

adjective

fra·​ter·​nal frə-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce fraternal (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or involving brothers
fraternal love
b
: of, relating to, or being a fraternity or society
a fraternal order
a fraternal chapter house
2
: derived from two ova : dizygotic
fraternal twins
3
: friendly, brotherly
There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.
fraternalism noun
fraternally adverb

Examples of fraternal in a Sentence

He belonged to a fraternal organization. There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, hosted a rosary prayer at Saints Peter and Paul in honor of Carasala Thursday evening. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025 The goal is to reinvigorate the fraternal organization that was once popular with Ramona’s farmers, ranchers, vineyard operators and others with a connection to agriculture. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025 This is a fraternal buddy comedy dressed up as an intricate (read: convoluted), nail-biting thriller. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025 The goal is to reinvigorate the fraternal organization that was once popular with Ramona’s farmers, ranchers, vineyard operators and others with a connection to agriculture. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fraternal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin fraternalis, from Latin fraternus, from frater brother — more at brother

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fraternal was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fraternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fraternal. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

fraternal

adjective
fra·​ter·​nal frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce fraternal (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to brothers
b
: of, relating to, or being a fraternity
2
fraternally adverb

Medical Definition

fraternal

adjective
fra·​ter·​nal frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce fraternal (audio)
: derived from two ova : dizygotic
fraternal twins

More from Merriam-Webster on fraternal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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