maternal
/məˈtɜːnəl/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother; motherly.
Adjective
Examples
His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Related through the mother, or her side of the family.
Adjective
Examples
Toby is my maternal uncle.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “maternal” mean?
Of or pertaining to a mother; having the characteristics of a mother; motherly.
Is “maternal” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.