fraternal

[ fruh-tur-nl ]

adjective

1. of or befitting a brother or brothers; brotherly.
2. of or being a society of men associated in brotherly union, as for mutual aid or benefit:

   a fraternal order; a fraternal association.

fraternal

/ frəˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of or suitable to a brother; brotherly
2. of or relating to a fraternity
3. designating either or both of a pair of twins of the same or opposite sex that developed from two separate fertilized ova Compare identical

Derived Forms

• fraˈternalism, noun
• fraˈternally, adverb

Other Words From

• fra·ternal·ism noun
• fra·ternal·ly adverb
• inter·fra·ternal adjective
• inter·fra·ternal·ly adverb
• nonfra·ternal adjective
• nonfra·ternal·ly adverb
• prefra·ternal adjective
• prefra·ternal·ly adverb
• quasi-fra·ternal adjective
• quasi-fra·ternal·ly adverb
• unfra·ternal adjective
• unfra·ternal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraternal¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin frātern ( us ) fraternal (derivative of frāter brother ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraternal¹

C15: from Latin frāternus , from frāter brother

Example Sentences

After all, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George is not comparable to more familiar fraternal societies like the Knights of Columbus, or Catholic lay orders like the Knights of Malta.

From Slate

It’s why he recently joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Elks, Moose International, Oddfellows and about 50 other clubs — so many that he had to get a separate wallet for membership cards.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump, a man who has gross contempt for the rule of law and the Constitution, was endorsed — again — by the Fraternal Order of Police.

From Salon

The club is described on its website as a “fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law enforcement officers who share a passion for riding motorcycles.”

From Los Angeles Times

Trump last week received the endorsement of the National Fraternal Order of Police, which has more than 375,000 members nationwide.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• congenial
• friendly