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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate

filial

FIHL-ee-uhl

Filial (adj) means relating to, or fitting for, a son or daughter's relationship with a parent. Example: “He felt a strong filial duty to care for his aging mother.”

adj
1
Relating to, or fitting for, a son or daughter's relationship with a parent.
"He felt a strong filial duty to care for his aging mother."
"Her filial devotion impressed everyone in the family."

How to use filial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes the love, respect, or duty a child is expected to show a parent.

Common pairings
filial duty filial piety filial devotion

Word forms

more filial comparative, most filial superlative

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He felt a strong _____ duty to care for his aging mother.

Etymology

From Latin filialis, built on filius ("son") and filia ("daughter"), plus the adjective ending -alis.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for filial

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Frequently asked questions

What does “filial” mean?

The word “filial” means relating to, or fitting for, a son or daughter's relationship with a parent. In plain terms, describes the love, respect, or duty a child is expected to show a parent.

How do you pronounce “filial”?

“Filial” is pronounced FIHL-ee-uhl (/ˈfɪl.i.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “filial” in a sentence?

Here is “filial” used in a sentence: “He felt a strong filial duty to care for his aging mother.”

What part of speech is “filial”?

“Filial” is an adjective.

Where does the word “filial” come from?

The word “filial” comes from Latin. From Latin filialis, built on filius ("son") and filia ("daughter"), plus the adjective ending -alis.

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