English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
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."
2
A social organization of male college students, typically identified by Greek letters.
"He lived in the fraternity house for two years."
3
A group of people who share the same profession or interests.
"The racing fraternity gathered for the season's first event."

How to use fraternity

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

fraternities plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “fraternity” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

There was a strong sense of _____ among the veterans.

Etymology

From Latin fraternitas, from frater, "brother."

Origin: Latin

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.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial