1
: of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter
filial obedience
filial love
2
: having or assuming the relation of a child or offspring
The new village has a filial relationship with the original settlement.
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Filial Has Familial Origins
Filial comes from Latin filius, meaning "son," and filia, "daughter"; in English, it applies to any gender. The word has long carried the dutiful sense "owed to a parent by a child," as found in such phrases as "filial respect" and "filial piety." These days it can also be used more generally for any emotion or behavior of a child to a parent.
Examples of filial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Whatever filial fantasy inspired him to join his father’s navy has died for Alyn, who shaves the white hair that would give him away as a Velaryon.
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Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 21 July 2024
Walter Wang, who was one of his two sons, described feeling a kind of filial duty.
—Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Those who do not marry—mostly men—will shoulder this filial burden alone.
—Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2021
Historically, even ancient traditions that take filial piety very seriously acknowledge that there will always be a tension between caring for your parents and caring for yourself.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 8 Sep. 2024
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Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 21 July 2024
Walter Wang, who was one of his two sons, described feeling a kind of filial duty.
—Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Those who do not marry—mostly men—will shoulder this filial burden alone.
—Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2021
Historically, even ancient traditions that take filial piety very seriously acknowledge that there will always be a tension between caring for your parents and caring for yourself.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for filial
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Cite this Entry
“Filial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filial. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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