# brotherly

/ˈbɹəðɝɫi/ (US) · /bɹˈʌðəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brotherly
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. kind and protective

adjective · CEFR B2

showing the kind of love, loyalty, or protection you expect from a brother.

For teachers: characteristic of or befitting a brother; exhibiting fraternal affection, loyalty, or protective care.

- He gave his friend some brotherly advice about how to handle the problem.
- Despite their professional rivalry, the two colleagues maintained a brotherly bond that had developed during their early years in the industry.

### 2. acting like a brother

adverb · CEFR C1 · Literary

acting in a way that is kind and loyal, as a brother would.

For teachers: in a manner characteristic of brothers; acting with fraternal care or solidarity.

- They stood together brotherly, supporting each other through the difficult time.
- The soldiers shared their meager rations brotherly, ensuring that no one in the unit went entirely without food during the siege.

Usage: As an adverb, this form is less common in modern speech than the adjective; 'in a brotherly way' is often preferred in casual contexts.

## Examples

- The two friends shared a brotherly bond.
- The older brother showed his younger sibling a brotherly kindness by helping him with his homework.
- The novel explores the complex brotherly rivalry that defined the lives of the two protagonists, ultimately leading to a tragic yet cathartic resolution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.