# familial

/fəˈmɪɫjəɫ/ (US) · /fæmˈɪlɪəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/familial
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

relating to a family or typical of the relationships between family members.

For teachers: relating to or occurring within a family; often describes characteristics, traits, or conditions passed through generations.

## Examples

- The house had a warm, familial atmosphere.
- Doctors often ask about your familial medical history to identify potential genetic risks for certain diseases.
- The novel explores the complex familial bonds that tie the siblings together despite their vastly different political ideologies and geographic distances.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They have a familyal problem" but "They have a familial problem" — Learners often misspell the word by trying to keep the full spelling of 'family' before adding the suffix.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun; frequently appears in medical or sociological contexts.

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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.