fraternal

1 of 2

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

fraternalism

2 of 2

noun

fra·​ter·​nal·​ism -nᵊlˌizəm 

-nəˌli-

plural -s

1

a

: the state of being fraternal

b

: fraternal feeling

2

: the theoretic justification of fraternal societies or their practices

also : the advocacy of fraternal societies

Synonyms of fraternal

Adjective

• familial
• brotherly

Examples of fraternal in a Sentence

Adjective

He belonged to a fraternal organization.

There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The pair navigated a range of financial, operational and cultural challenges of growing the sport of pro lacrosse, putting their fraternal and business relationship to the test. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

After all, there’s been a lot of water under the bridge since these two characters first established a somewhat fraternal but definitely hierarchal bond when the mothership series began 23 years ago. — Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Among the establishments that offer video gambling are restaurants, bars, fraternal organizations and a few other venues. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

This was fostered largely by organizations such as the Knights of Columbus—a Roman Catholic fraternal organization founded by an Irish American priest—that embraced Italian Catholic immigrants and lobbied Congress for a federal Columbus Day. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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