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 of familial

• household
• domestic

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

In this slow-burn story of estrangement and reconciliation, the negotiation is a familial one, the fault lines emotional rather than linguistic. —Dan Sheehan, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

That the museum aims to present a multifaceted picture of shtetl life — one that emphasizes piety, creativity and familial bonds alongside loss — is essential, said Steven Zipperstein, a Stanford University historian of Judaism and Jewish culture. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

There were also other familial issues over the couple's big day. —Pamela Avila, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026

Beyond its nostalgic soundtrack and timeless familial themes, the heart of Freaky Friday lies in Curtis and Lohan's undeniable chemistry and masterful performances. —James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026

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