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 notesIn plain EnglishDescribes the love, respect, or duty a child is expected to show a parent.
Common pairings
filial duty
filial piety
filial devotion
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like filial.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more filial
- Superlative
- most filial
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for filial
See all rhymes for filial →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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include filial:
