motherly
5 synonyms for motherly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Warm, protective, and nurturing in the way typically associated with a mother.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use motherly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
motherly love
motherly instinct
motherly warmth
Etymology
From Old English mōdorlīċ, built from mother plus the suffix -ly ("in the manner of").
Full origin of motherly →Frequently asked questions
What does “motherly” mean?
The word “motherly” means warm, protective, and nurturing in the way typically associated with a mother. In plain terms, behaving the way a caring mother would — gentle, protective, and nurturing.
How do you pronounce “motherly”?
“Motherly” is pronounced MUH-thuh-lee (/ˈmʌðɚli/ in IPA).
How do you use “motherly” in a sentence?
Here is “motherly” used in a sentence: “She gave the frightened boy a motherly hug.”
What part of speech is “motherly”?
“Motherly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “motherly” come from?
The word “motherly” comes from Old English. From Old English mōdorlīċ, built from mother plus the suffix -ly ("in the manner of").
