fraternal

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

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 fraternal directing duo of Josh and Benny Safdie make urban odysseys that flow with the quicksilver currents of New York City.

— michael phillips, charlotteobserver, "Movie review: ‘Good Time’ is an unnerving, divisive thriller for our times," 23 Aug. 2017
McInnes has cultivated a gang-like aura among his all-male fraternal organization, the Proud Boys.

— michael brendan dougherty, National Review, "The Fascists Were Using Antifa against Conservatives," 18 Aug. 2017
The trendlet Unlike her spiky fraternal twin, this subdued pixie is clean, tapered, and mature.

— elizabeth wellington, Philly.com, "This summer's pixie is grown up and cuter than ever," 18 Aug. 2017
With someone of his own age, political persuasion, and affinity, Macron could forge a fraternal duet.

— james wolcott, vanityfair.com, "The Bromance of Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron, Gen X Dynamos of Democracy," 4 Aug. 2017
Lincoln-Way East seniors John and Jacob Slager are fraternal twins rather than identical twins.

— gene chamberlain, Daily Southtown, "Lincoln-Way East routs St. Charles North, but North Stars rally in Game 2," 18 July 2017
For fraternal twins, the match dropped to 35 percent.

— pam belluck, New York Times, "Study of How We Look at Faces May Offer Insight Into Autism," 12 July 2017
The corresponding rate for fraternal twins is around 40 percent.

— nicholette zeliadt, Washington Post, "Is there such a thing as an autism gene?," 30 June 2017
Property Brothers is a show on HGTV wherein allegedly fraternal twins named Drew and Jonathan Scott help people find and fix homes.

— kenzie bryant, Vanities, "What If Melania Is the One Recording Property Brothers on Air Force One?," 22 June 2017

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up fraternal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

fraternal

Definition of fraternal

fraternalism

fraternally

People Are Reading

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

Learn More about fraternal

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Words for Trickery and Deception

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

Words of the Year: 1066