fraternal

adjective

fra·​ter·​nal frə-ˈtər-nᵊl 

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

frə-ˈtər-nə-ˌliz-əm 

noun

fraternally

frə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• familial
• brotherly

Examples of fraternal in a Sentence

He belonged to a fraternal organization.

There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.

Recent Examples on the Web

Businesses that can offer video gaming include table service restaurants that serve complete meals, fraternal organizations, establishments for military veterans, and truck stops, as designated under state law. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025

The good times in a rom-com — the meet-cute, the courtship, the intense declarations of love — all get their moments here, just with a fraternal twist and an invaluable extension. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025

The Knights of Columbus is a lay family fraternal organization. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Belly, terror of Cousins and worst thing to ever happen to the Fisher brothers (IMO), is back for another summer of mess, chaos, and fraternal love triangles. —Meg Walters, Glamour, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fraternal

• fraternal twin

Rhymes for fraternal

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

Kids Definition

fraternal

adjective

fra·​ter·​nal frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

1

a

: of or relating to brothers

b

: of, relating to, or being a fraternity

2

: kindly entry 1 sense 2, friendly

fraternally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Medical Definition

fraternal

adjective

fra·​ter·​nal frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

: derived from two ova : dizygotic

fraternal twins