motherly
adjective
moth·er·ly
ˈmə-t͟hər-lē 
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother
motherly advice
2
: resembling a mother : maternal
motherliness
noun
Examples of motherly in a Sentence
She took her motherly duties very seriously.
she showed a sweet motherly tenderness toward the tiny kitten she was taking care of
Recent Examples on the Web
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn To some, going home is a relaxing retreat full of motherly love and too much food.
—
Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Shlesinger balances the drama and comedy of the film, while Mullally provides constant laughs with her Southern drawl and absurd motherly criticisms of her daughter.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
That idea comes across in an especially poignant scene in season 5, volume 2, when Robin has a very motherly talk with Will about coming out.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motherly
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Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Shlesinger balances the drama and comedy of the film, while Mullally provides constant laughs with her Southern drawl and absurd motherly criticisms of her daughter.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026
That idea comes across in an especially poignant scene in season 5, volume 2, when Robin has a very motherly talk with Will about coming out.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for motherly
Cite this Entry
“Motherly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motherly. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
motherly
adjective
moth·er·ly
ˈmət͟h-ər-lē
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother
motherly affection
2
: resembling a mother
motherliness
noun
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