paternal

adjective

pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce paternal (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to a father
offered his children some paternal advice
paternal responsibilities
b
: like that of a father
paternal benevolence
2
: received or inherited from one's male parent
lived and worked on his paternal farm
3
: related through one's father
paternal grandfather
paternally adverb

Examples of paternal in a Sentence

He did not neglect his paternal responsibilities after the divorce.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Norton shows me a photo on his phone of Seeger and Dylan sitting side by side on a trip to the South, and another where Seeger is watching Dylan perform to a huge crowd, his face alight with paternal joy. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024 Here is someone offering her fatherly advice and a paternal embrace without a hidden half-chub. Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024 Their paternal grandfather, Roger Herbert, is a former Oregon State sprinter and longtime track coach at Sheldon High School. Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2024 Greenwood, who was born in Bradford, is eligible through his paternal grandparents. Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 23 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paternal 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin paternalis, from Latin paternus paternal, from pater

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of paternal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near paternal

Cite this Entry

“Paternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternal. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

paternal

adjective
pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce paternal (audio)
1
: fatherly
paternal advice
2
: received or inherited from one's father
3
: related through the father
a paternal grandfather
paternally adverb
Etymology

from Latin paternalis "fatherly," from earlier paternus (same meaning), from pater "father" — related to padre, patron, pattern

More from Merriam-Webster on paternal

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