US /ˈmʌð.ɚ.li/ UK /ˈmʌð.ə.li/
adj Freq #31506

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    showing the warmth, care, and protectiveness associated with a mother

    She watched over the injured traveler with motherly concern.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · showing the warmth, care,... maternalnurturingcaring
More protective
Opposites
Word family
Derived forms motherliness
Related forms mothermaternalnurture

Etymology

From Middle English moderly and Old English mōdorlīċ, formed from mother + -ly. The adjective has long described the warmth, care, or protectiveness traditionally associated with a mother.

Topics

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