paternal

adjective

pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce paternal (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to a father
offered his children some paternal advice
paternal responsibilities
b
: like that of a father
paternal benevolence
2
: received or inherited from one's male parent
lived and worked on his paternal farm
3
: related through one's father
paternal grandfather
paternally
pə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē How to pronounce paternal (audio)
adverb

Examples of paternal in a Sentence

He did not neglect his paternal responsibilities after the divorce.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Emma’s paternal aunt is Academy Award-winning actress Julia Roberts. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 July 2026 The 10-episode drama about paternal anxiety and devotion wrapped up over the weekend. — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026 Philippe Stern, the 25-year-old scion of the family business—his paternal grandfather, Charles Stern, and his great-uncle, Jean Stern, bought Patek Philippe in 1932—was just a few years older than Edelman. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 27 July 2026 Her paternal grandmother, Rita, had taught her how to embroider at the family farm. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for paternal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin paternalis, from Latin paternus paternal, from pater

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of paternal was in the 15th century

Rhymes for paternal

See All Rhymes for paternal

Browse Nearby Words

paterissa
paternal
paternalism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paternal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paternal. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

paternal

adjective
pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce paternal (audio)
1
: fatherly
paternal advice
2
: received or inherited from one's father
3
: related through the father
a paternal grandfather
paternally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce paternal (audio)
adverb
Etymology

from Latin paternalis "fatherly," from earlier paternus (same meaning), from pater "father" — related to padre, patron, pattern

More from Merriam-Webster on paternal

Nglish: Translation of paternal for Spanish Speakers

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