fraternal

adjective fra·ter·nal \ frə-ˈtər-nᵊl \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Examples: fraternal in a Sentence

Definition of fraternal

1 a : of, relating to, or involving brothers

fraternal love

b : of, relating to, or being a fraternity or society

a fraternal order

a fraternal chapter house

2 : derived from two ova : dizygotic

fraternal twins

3 : friendly, brotherly

There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.

—

fraternalism

play \frə-ˈtər-nə-ˌliz-əm\ noun

—

fraternally

play \frə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē\ adverb

See fraternal defined for English-language learners

See fraternal defined for kids

Examples of fraternal in a Sentence

He belonged to a fraternal organization.
There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.

Recent Examples of fraternal from the Web

The Shriners are a national fraternal organization that dates back to 1870 New York.

— maria l. la ganga, idahostatesman, "What’s behind ’60s-era paneling at El Korah Shrine? A ballroom’s worth of ’20s art.," 12 July 2018
There are fraternal organizations and sororities involved.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Celebrating life at Euclid and Imperial, once known as Four Corners of Death," 8 July 2018
Rough Animals follows two fraternal twins on a remote Utah farm, bound together by a dark secret.

— refinery29.com, "How Rae DelBianco Went From Cattle Farmer To Bookstagram Queen To Literary Darling — All By 25," 13 July 2018
For the Georges, that distinction came in the form of fraternal twins, Malik and Miles, who are now heading to their dream school together: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

— christopher brito, CBS News, "New Jersey fraternal twins named co-valedictorians, set to head to MIT together," 24 June 2018
Her older fraternal twin brothers, Jeremy and Zachary, are still featured on the show, but her younger brother Jacob decided not to take part in it years ago.

— eileen reslen, Good Housekeeping, "This Is Why Molly Roloff Is Barely on "Little People, Big World"," 6 Apr. 2018
Textiles planned for exhibit were created in the 19th and 20th centuries, and include items from wedding and formal dresses to men's working clothing to fraternal uniforms.

— joy davis, Aurora Beacon-News, "Fashion, art to be showcased in Oswego," 15 Mar. 2018
In 21% of fraternal triplet pregnancies, the kids get some of each other’s DNA.

— william saletan, WSJ, "‘She Has Her Mother’s Laugh’ Review: Biology’s Strange New World," 28 June 2018
This is not the first time fraternal intrigue has divided the family.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "The Koch Brothers are the Cain and Abel of plutocratic politics.," 8 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fraternal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fraternal

Middle English, from Medieval Latin fraternalis, from Latin fraternus, from frater brother — more at brother

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

fraternal Synonyms

Synonyms

brotherly;

Related Words

familial, sisterly;

chummy, friendly, neighborly;

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

FRATERNAL Defined for English Language Learners

fraternal

adjective

Definition of fraternal for English Language Learners

: of or relating to brothers
: made up of members who share an interest or purpose
: friendly or brotherly

FRATERNAL Defined for Kids

fraternal

adjective fra·ter·nal \ frə-ˈtər-nᵊl \

Definition of fraternal for Students

1 : having to do with brothers

fraternal affection

2 : made up of members banded together like brothers

a fraternal organization

Medical Dictionary

fraternal

adjective fra·ter·nal \ frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl \

medical Definition of fraternal

: derived from two ova : dizygotic

fraternal twins

Learn More about fraternal

See words that rhyme with fraternal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fraternal Spanish Central: Translation of fraternal Nglish: Translation of fraternal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fraternal for Arabic speakers

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fraternal

Definition of fraternal

fraternalism

fraternally

Examples of fraternal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fraternal from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fraternal

fraternal Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Genetics Terms

Phrases Related to FRATERNAL

Related Phrases

FRATERNAL Defined for English Language Learners

fraternal

Definition of fraternal for English Language Learners

FRATERNAL Defined for Kids

fraternal

Definition of fraternal for Students

Medical Dictionary

fraternal

medical Definition of fraternal

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