familial

adjective

fa·​mil·​ial fə-ˈmil-yəl 

-ˈmi-lē-əl

1

: tending to occur in more members of a family than expected by chance alone

a familial disorder

2

: of, relating to, or suggestive of a family

has familial ties to the area

a familial atmosphere

Synonyms

• household

Examples of familial in a Sentence

The company has created a familial atmosphere in its offices.

it's a familial duty as well as a tradition for everyone in my family to eat dinner together

Recent Examples on the Web

The Bear has always been a show about the way restaurants lead to a confusing intermixture of familial intimacy and workplace hierarchy. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 June 2025

Set in the 1940s, the film begins with a whirlwind summer romance between the wealthy Allie and working-class Noah — but despite their intense connection, class differences and familial disapproval drive them apart. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 25 June 2025

Disagreements over who gets to keep the family photos can wreak just as much havoc on familial relationships as those over money. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 25 June 2025

As Reva relates the stories of her three main characters—including one whose true passion is snail conservation—her novel hums with bruised faith in the irrational power of hope, whether for peace, love, endangered species, or familial reconciliation. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin familia

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing familial

• familial adenomatous polyposis
• familial hypercholesterolemia
• inter-familial

Kids Definition

familial

adjective

fa·​mil·​ial fə-ˈmil-yəl 

: of, relating to, or typical of a family

Medical Definition

familial

adjective

fa·​mil·​ial fə-ˈmil-yəl 

: tending to occur in more members of a family than expected by chance alone

a familial disorder

compare acquired sense 1, congenital sense 2, hereditary