adjective
familial
fuh-MIHL-yuhl
adjective
1
Relating to a family, or passed down within one.
"The disease has a strong familial pattern, running through three generations."
"They shared a familial bond even though they weren't related by blood."
How to Use Familial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with family — often used for traits or conditions that run in a family.
Common mistake
Mostly used in slightly formal or medical contexts ("familial risk of heart disease") rather than everyday chat, where "family" as an adjective works fine.
Common pairings
familial ties
familial risk
familial resemblance
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The disease has a strong _____ pattern, running through three generations.
Etymology
From French familial, ultimately from Latin familia ("household, family") — the same root that gives us "family" itself.