brotherly
Brotherly (adj) means showing the warmth, loyalty, or protectiveness typical of a brother. Example: “He gave his younger colleague some brotherly advice before the interview.”
How to use brotherly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishKind and protective in the way a brother typically is toward a sibling.
Word forms
more brotherly comparative, brotherlier comparative, more brotherly comparative, most brotherly superlative, brotherliest superlative, most brotherly superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave his younger colleague some _____ advice before the interview.
Etymology
From "brother" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-ly", the same pattern as "friendly" or "fatherly".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for brotherly
See all rhymes for brotherly →Frequently asked questions
What does “brotherly” mean?
The word “brotherly” means showing the warmth, loyalty, or protectiveness typical of a brother. In plain terms, kind and protective in the way a brother typically is toward a sibling.
How do you pronounce “brotherly”?
“Brotherly” is pronounced BRUHTH-uh-lee (/ˈbɹʌð.ɚ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “brotherly” in a sentence?
Here is “brotherly” used in a sentence: “He gave his younger colleague some brotherly advice before the interview.”
What part of speech is “brotherly”?
“Brotherly” is an adjective.