Search results
- Dictionarymaternal/məˈtəːnl/
adjective
- 1. relating to a mother, especially during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth: "maternal care" Similar Opposite
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
MATERNAL definition: 1. behaving or feeling in the way that a mother does towards her child, especially in a kind…. Learn more.
The meaning of MATERNAL is of, relating to, belonging to, or characteristic of a mother : motherly. How to use maternal in a sentence.
Maternal definition: of, pertaining to, having the qualities of, or befitting a mother. See examples of MATERNAL used in a sentence.
If you are maternal, you are like a mother. How you define what it is to be “like a mother” is up to you, but most people think of nurturing things like chicken soup and kisses on the forehead. The adjective maternal comes from the Latin maternus, which means “of a mother.”
behaving or feeling in the way that a mother does toward her child, especially in a kind, loving way: maternal instincts. She is very maternal toward her employees. Compare. paternal. related to a mother's side of the family: Her maternal grandmother (= mother's mother) is still alive. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Kind & thoughtful.
Maternal is used to describe feelings or actions which are typical of those of a kind mother towards her child. She had little maternal instinct. Her feelings towards him were almost maternal.
Definition of maternal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
1. Relating to or characteristic of a mother or motherhood; motherly: maternal instinct. 2. Inherited from one's mother: a maternal trait. 3. Related through one's mother: my maternal uncle. [Middle English, from Old French maternel, from Medieval Latin māternālis, from Latin māternus, from māter, mother; see māter- in Indo-European roots .]
Maternal definition: Of, like, or characteristic of a mother or motherhood; motherly.
MATERNAL meaning: 1. like a mother: 2. A maternal relation is part of your mother's family: . Learn more.
