maternal
muh-TUR-nuhl
Maternal (adj) means relating to a mother, or having the caring, protective qualities associated with a mother. Example: “She felt a sudden maternal urge to protect the younger children.”
adj
1
Relating to a mother, or having the caring, protective qualities associated with a mother.
"She felt a sudden maternal urge to protect the younger children."
"His maternal instinct kicked in the moment the baby cried."
"The nurse spoke to the frightened child in a warm, maternal voice."
2
Related through one's mother's side of the family.
"His maternal grandmother taught him to cook."
"My maternal uncle lives on a farm near the coast."
"She inherited her red hair from her maternal side of the family."
How to use maternal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to a mother, mother-like, or coming from the mother's side of the family.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
maternal instinct
maternal grandmother
maternal love
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Word forms
- Plural
- maternals
- Comparative
- more maternal
- Superlative
- most maternal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She felt a sudden _____ urge to protect the younger children.
Etymology
From Latin māternus, "of a mother," from māter, "mother."
Related words
Rhymes for maternal
See all rhymes for maternal →Frequently asked questions
What does “maternal” mean?
The word “maternal” means relating to a mother, or having the caring, protective qualities associated with a mother. In plain terms, relating to a mother, mother-like, or coming from the mother's side of the family.
How do you pronounce “maternal”?
“Maternal” is pronounced muh-TUR-nuhl (/məˈtɝnəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “maternal” in a sentence?
Here is “maternal” used in a sentence: “She felt a sudden maternal urge to protect the younger children.”
What part of speech is “maternal”?
“Maternal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “maternal” come from?
The word “maternal” comes from Latin. From Latin māternus, "of a mother," from māter, "mother.".
Is “maternal” a common word?
“Maternal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “maternal” have?
“Maternal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a mother, or having the caring, protective qualities associated with a mother.
What is the difference between maternal and paternal?
Maternal relates to a mother or the mother's side of the family, while paternal relates to a father or the father's side. For example, a maternal grandmother is the mother's mother, whereas a paternal grandmother is the father's mother.
Can maternal describe behavior rather than a family relationship?
Yes, maternal can describe caring, protective qualities associated with mothers even when no biological relationship is involved, such as a maternal instinct toward a friend's child. This figurative use focuses on nurturing behavior rather than literal motherhood.
