maternal
adjective /məˈtɜː.nəl/
/-ˈtɝː-/ Definition
› behaving or feeling in the way that a mother does towards her child, especially in a kind, loving way: maternal instincts She is very maternal towards her staff. → Compare paternalKind and thoughtful › related to a mother's side of the family: Her maternal grandmother (= mother's mother) is still alive.Family relations in general maternally /-i/ adverb Family relations in general
(Definition of maternal adjective from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
Browse related topics
You are looking at an entry to do with Kind & thoughtful, but you might be interested in these topics from the Kind and unkind topic area:
Browse the Thesaurus
SMART Thesaurus
Synonyms and related words:
- accommodating adjective
- attentive adjective (HELPING)
- avuncular adjective
- be all heart idiom
- be big of sb idiom
- diplomacy noun
- diplomatic adjective
- fatherly adjective
- good-hearted adjective
- good-natured adjective
- lovely adjective (KIND)
- mean well idiom
- motherly adjective
- neighbourly adjective
- nice adjective (KIND)
- thoughtful adjective
- warm-hearted adjective
- well intentioned adjective
- well meaning adjective
- well meant adjective
Topic:
Kind & thoughtful
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Word of the Day
Blog
Read our blog about how the English language behaves.
New Words
Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.
