paternal

adjective

pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtər-nᵊl 

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

pə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of paternal in a Sentence

He did not neglect his paternal responsibilities after the divorce.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prince William was the first high-ranking member of the British Royal Family to attend Eton College, forgoing Gordonstoun which his father, King Charles III, and paternal grandfather, Prince Philip, attended. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

His paternal grandmother, Bernice Webster, who was an English professor, assigned it to him as part of his summer reading curriculum. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 22 July 2026

Corky’s parents also had ties to dance Mark’s paternal grandparents were also involved in the dance industry. — Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

McElwee’s brother, having followed their father into the medical profession, received mentorship and experienced the glow of paternal pride, whereas McElwee’s youthful filmmaking vocation was met with bewilderment and doubt. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

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

Rhymes for paternal

• diurnal
• eternal
• external
• fraternal
• infernal
• internal
• maternal
• nocturnal
• pimpernel
• colonel
• journal
• kernel

Kids Definition

paternal

adjective

pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

1

: fatherly

paternal advice

2

: received or inherited from one's father

3

: related through the father

a paternal grandfather

paternally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Etymology

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