familial

adjective

fa·​mil·​ial fə-ˈmil-yəl How to pronounce familial (audio)
-ˈmi-lē-əl
Synonyms of familialnext
1
: tending to occur in more members of a family than expected by chance alone
a familial disorder
2
: of, relating to, or suggestive of a family
has familial ties to the area
a familial atmosphere

Synonyms

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Examples of familial in a Sentence

The company has created a familial atmosphere in its offices. it's a familial duty as well as a tradition for everyone in my family to eat dinner together
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.
How is familial trauma passed down through the unconscious through the conscious? — Kristen Tauer, WWD, 10 Mar. 2025 Why Women Are Uniquely Positioned To Lead In A Hybrid World Many women develop distinctive traits from juggling social, familial, and professional roles — such as compassion, collaboration, creativity, and nuanced community awareness. — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Ruled by the moon, Cancer’s archetype is symbolic of the home and family, and the album’s themes of love and loss feel profoundly familial, with Gaga’s delivery being tender and sentimental. — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025 Within its walls, the apartment transforms into a microcosm of a bygone era, a store of history and familial secrets. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for familial

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin familia

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of familial was in 1843

Phrases Containing familial

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familial
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Cite this Entry

“Familial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/familial. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

familial

adjective
fa·​mil·​ial fə-ˈmil-yəl How to pronounce familial (audio)
: of, relating to, or typical of a family

Medical Definition

familial

adjective
fa·​mil·​ial fə-ˈmil-yəl How to pronounce familial (audio)
: tending to occur in more members of a family than expected by chance alone
a familial disorder
compare acquired sense 1, congenital sense 2, hereditary

More from Merriam-Webster on familial

Nglish: Translation of familial for Spanish Speakers

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