fatherly Meaning & Definition
What Does Fatherly Mean?
Fatherly is used as an adjective meaning Characteristic of what is considered the ideal behaviour pertaining to fatherhood. It is also used to mean Befitting of a father; protective, paternal. As an adverb, it means In a way pertaining to, befitting, or of a father.
Quick Facts About Fatherly
| Part of speech | adjective, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈfɑːðəli/ |
| Synonyms | loving, paternal and fatherlike |
| Comparative / superlative | more fatherly, most fatherly |
Fatherly Definition (Adjective)
- Characteristic of what is considered the ideal behaviour pertaining to fatherhood.
fatherly advice
- Befitting of a father; protective, paternal.
Fatherly as an Adverb
- In a way pertaining to, befitting, or of a father.
Synonyms of Fatherly
Fatherly synonyms and antonyms →Fatherly in a Sentence
fatherly advice
Word Forms & Grammar
fatherly (comparative more fatherly, superlative most fatherly)
Words That Rhyme With Fatherly
Origin of Fatherly
Origin 1: From Middle English faderly, from Old English fæderlīċ (“fatherly, paternal”), from Proto-West Germanic *faderlīk, from Proto-Germanic *fadurlīkaz (“fatherly, paternal”), equivalent to father + -ly. Cognate with West Frisian faderlik (“fatherly”), Dutch vaderlijk (“fatherly”), German väterlich (“fatherly”), Danish faderlig (“fatherly”), Swedish faderlig (“fatherly”), Icelandic föðurlegur (“fatherly”) . Doublet of fatherlike.
Origin 2: From Middle English faderly, fadirly, from Old English fæderlīċe (“in a fatherly way, as a father”), equivalent to father + -ly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fatherly
Is fatherly an adjective or an adverb?
Fatherly is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb.
What is another word for fatherly?
Close synonyms of fatherly are loving, paternal and fatherlike. See the full list of fatherly synonyms and antonyms.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of fatherly?
The comparative form is more fatherly and the superlative form is most fatherly.