paternal
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for paternal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to a father, or inherited through the father's side of the family.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
agnatic
agnate
Antonyms
How to use paternal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
paternal grandmother
paternal instinct
paternal advice
Etymology
From Latin paternus, "of a father," from pater, "father."
Full origin of paternal →Frequently asked questions
What does “paternal” mean?
The word “paternal” means relating to a father, or inherited through the father's side of the family. In plain terms, to do with fathers — either literally (a father's side of the family) or in manner (fatherly, protective).
How do you pronounce “paternal”?
“Paternal” is pronounced puh-TUR-nuhl (/pəˈtɜɹ.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “paternal” in a sentence?
Here is “paternal” used in a sentence: “She inherited the house from her paternal grandmother.”
What part of speech is “paternal”?
“Paternal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “paternal” come from?
The word “paternal” comes from Latin. From Latin paternus, "of a father," from pater, "father.".
Is “paternal” a common word?
“Paternal” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “paternal” have?
“Paternal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a father, or inherited through the father's side of the family.
