motherly

adjective

moth·​er·​ly ˈmə-t͟hər-lē 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother

motherly advice

2

: resembling a mother : maternal

motherliness noun

Synonyms

• maternal

Examples of motherly in a Sentence

She took her motherly duties very seriously.

she showed a sweet motherly tenderness toward the tiny kitten she was taking care of

Recent Examples on the Web

Since Rhodes stirs such motherly feelings in her fans, she’s partnered with M&M’s for their M&M’S PB&J Packed Lunch Special, a free packed lunch that 500 fans in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tenn. can get on July 29. —Victoria Edel, People.com, 28 July 2025

Suddenly, a sound cue and a shift from white to blue lighting indicate a leap in time, and this woman begins to relive a mundane interaction with her two young children, Leanne and Danny, while speaking to thin air and miming her motherly motions. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025

The outburst inspired motherly glances from Adams and Jones, who regaled McAllister before with sorry tales of the past two decades. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 8 July 2025

Physically unhurt but deeply shaken, she is taken in by a local woman who witnessed the accident and begins to care for Laura with motherly devotion. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motherly

• brotherly
• southerly

Kids Definition

motherly

adjective

moth·​er·​ly ˈmət͟h-ər-lē 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother

motherly affection

2

: resembling a mother

motherliness noun