noun
Uncommon
fraternity
fruh-TUR-nih-tee
Fraternity (noun) means a feeling of brotherhood and mutual support among a group of people. Example: “There was a strong sense of fraternity among the veterans.”
noun
1
A feeling of brotherhood and mutual support among a group of people.
"There was a strong sense of fraternity among the veterans."
"The volunteers shared a deep fraternity that grew stronger after every shift."
"Soldiers who serve together often develop a lasting fraternity."
2
A social organization of male college students, typically identified by Greek letters.
"He lived in the fraternity house for two years."
"Joining a fraternity was the first thing he did when he started university."
"The fraternity held a barbecue on the lawn to welcome new members."
3
A group of people who share the same profession or interests.
"The racing fraternity gathered for the season's first event."
"The medical fraternity welcomed the new research with great interest."
"Word of the closure soon spread through the local fishing fraternity."
How to use fraternity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBrotherhood — either an emotional bond, a college social club, or a shared professional community.
Common pairings
liberty, equality, fraternity
join a fraternity
the racing fraternity
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Word forms
- Plural
- fraternities
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There was a strong sense of _____ among the veterans.
Etymology
From Latin fraternitas, from frater, "brother."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
disfavor
Related words
Rhymes for fraternity
See all rhymes for fraternity →Frequently asked questions
What does “fraternity” mean?
The word “fraternity” means a feeling of brotherhood and mutual support among a group of people. In plain terms, brotherhood — either an emotional bond, a college social club, or a shared professional community.
How do you pronounce “fraternity”?
“Fraternity” is pronounced fruh-TUR-nih-tee (/fɹəˈtɜɹnəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “fraternity” in a sentence?
Here is “fraternity” used in a sentence: “There was a strong sense of fraternity among the veterans.”
What is another word for “fraternity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fraternity” include brotherhood and community.
What is the opposite of “fraternity”?
The opposite of “fraternity” — its antonyms — is disfavor.
What part of speech is “fraternity”?
“Fraternity” is a noun.
Where does the word “fraternity” come from?
The word “fraternity” comes from Latin. From Latin fraternitas, from frater, "brother.".
Is “fraternity” a common word?
“Fraternity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a fraternity and a sorority?
A fraternity is a social organization of male college students, while a sorority is the equivalent organization for female college students. Both are typically identified by Greek letters and share similar social and community functions on campus.
What is the difference between fraternity and brotherhood as concepts?
Fraternity refers broadly to a feeling of brotherhood and mutual support among a group of people, while brotherhood often emphasizes the personal bond itself rather than any formal group structure. Fraternity can describe both this feeling and an actual organized fraternity, giving it a wider range of use.
How is fraternity used to describe a profession, like the 'legal fraternity'?
When used this way, fraternity refers to a group of people who share the same profession or interests, such as the 'legal fraternity' or 'medical fraternity.' It highlights shared identity and camaraderie among people in the same field rather than a formal college organization.
