adj

paternal

puh-TUR-nuhl

adj

Relating to a father, or inherited through the father's side of the family.

"She inherited the house from her paternal grandmother."

Fatherly in manner; caring and protective, sometimes overly controlling.

"He gave the new recruits some paternal advice."

How to Use Paternal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo do with fathers — either literally (a father's side of the family) or in manner (fatherly, protective).

Easily confused with

maternal →

Common pairings

paternal grandmother paternal instinct paternal advice

more paternal comparative, paternals plural, most paternal superlative

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She inherited the house from her _____ grandmother.

From Latin paternus, "of a father," from pater, "father."

eternal internal maternal external infernal fraternal