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View synonyms for sisterly

sisterly

[ sis-ter-lee ]

adjective

  1. of, like, or befitting a sister:

    sisterly affection.



adverb

  1. in the manner of a sister; as a sister.

sisterly

/ ˈsɪstəlɪ /

adjective

  1. of, resembling, or suitable to a sister, esp in showing kindness and affection
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈsisterliness, noun
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Other Words From

  • sister·li·ness noun
  • un·sister·ly adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sisterly1

First recorded in 1560–70; sister + -ly
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Example Sentences

These 45 seconds of sisterly affection would have changed Frozen.

Mostly, though, it's about the transformative powers of true love, of both the sisterly and romantic kind.

Everyone is judging everyone else, with unshakable sisterly affection.

The night before Jimmy first deployed, I accompanied him to a tattoo parlor for sisterly support.

I am sure youre a sight, she commented, with sisterly frankness; all doubled up and your forehead screwed into knots.

She seemed this morning so kind and thoughtful and so sisterly in her conversation and so ready to assist in getting dinner.

It doesn't sound too sisterly a thing to me to forsake the young priestess if there is no jewel in it for her.

Imagining a fall down some suddenly spied chasm of her nature, she had a sisterly feeling for the women named sinful.

But, somehow, he wanted to feel that sisterly grip of her hand and look down into those encouraging gray eyes.

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More About Sisterly

What does sisterly mean?

Sisterly is an adjective that most commonly means like a sister. It’s especially used in a positive way to describe someone as being loyal, supportive, and protective—like a good sister who loves and cares about you.

Describing someone as sisterly sometimes implies that they’re like an older sister who can give good advice.

Sisterly is most often used to describe sisters themselves and the sisterly things they do, but it can be applied to someone who’s not a sister, as in I don’t have a sister, but I always rely on Jane for sisterly support. 

Sisterly can also be used as an adverb meaning in the manner of a sister.

Sisterly is one of many similar terms based on family relations, including brotherly, motherly, fatherly, grandmotherly, and grandfatherly.

Example: I’m lucky that my sisters and I have always shared a sisterly affection—we all support each other.

Where does sisterly come from?

The first records of the word sisterly come from the 1500s. The suffix -ly is often used to form adverbs, but in the case of the adjective sisterly it means “like” (i.e., like a sister).

The common meaning of sisterly is based not on any sister but on a good sister, one who is supportive and loyal. The phrase sisterly advice typically refers to advice that comes from experience and is intended to help you be the best you can be. Such advice can come from your actual sister or from a person who’s like a sister to you.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to sisterly?

  • sisterliness (noun)
  • unsisterly (adjective)

What are some synonyms for sisterly?

  • sororal
  • sororally (when sisterly is used as an adverb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with sisterly

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing sisterly?

How is sisterly used in real life?

Sisterly is usually used in a positive way to describe a woman or something she does as being like a good sister. It can be applied to sisters or people who are not sisters.

 

Try using sisterly!

Which of the following actions could be described as sisterly?

A. giving you good advice
B. supporting you
C. cheering you on
D. all of the above

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sister-in-lawSister of Charity