English Reference
adjective · noun

fraternal

adj. · n.
US /fɹəˈtɝnəɫ/ UK /fɹɐtˈɜːnəl/ fra·ter·nal

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.relating to brothers or the feeling of being like a brother.

    adj.pertaining to or befitting a brother or brothers; characterized by brotherly affection.

    Simple

    The two men shared a fraternal bond after serving in the army together.

    In context

    The treaty was signed in a spirit of fraternal cooperation, aiming to heal the long-standing rift between the two neighbouring nations.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    adj.describing twins who come from two different eggs and do not look exactly the same.

    adj.derived from two separate fertilized ova and therefore not genetically identical.

    Simple

    Fraternal twins are no more alike than any other pair of siblings.

    In context

    The study compared fraternal and identical twins to determine the relative influence of genetics and environment on cognitive development.

    dizygotic
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.relating to a social group or club, often for men, called a fraternity.

    adj.of or pertaining to a fraternity or a society organized for fellowship or mutual aid.

    Simple

    He joined a fraternal organization that raises money for local charities.

    In context

    The university has strict rules regarding fraternal activities to ensure the safety and inclusion of all students on campus.

    associationalclub related
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    n.one of a pair of twins who are not identical.

    n.a fraternal twin; one of two offspring produced from separate ova in the same pregnancy.

    Simple

    My brother and I are fraternals, so people often don't realize we are twins.

    In context

    While identicals share nearly all their DNA, fraternals share roughly fifty percent, similar to standard siblings born at different times.


PIE word *bʰréh₂tēr Borrowed from Middle French fraternel, from Medieval Latin frāternālis (“fraternal”), from Latin frāternus (“of or pertaining to a brother, fraternal”), from frāter (“brother”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin frāternus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated