familial

adjective

fa·​mil·​ial fə-ˈmil-yəl How to pronounce familial (audio)
-ˈmi-lē-əl
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

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.
This feeling that the world is just there waiting for you, that all doors will be opened whether by familial connections or just backhanded money deals. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 Some of the players had a slight leg-up, given that they were born and raised in bigger or more recognisable football environments, but played for another country due to a familial connection. Nick Miller, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 The conclusion of the original trilogy has many loose ends to tie up, not the least of which is the preceding chapter’s familial twist. Katie Rife, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2025 What follows is a twisted game of house where familiar familial relationships crumble and new ones take root like nasty black weeds. M.l. Rio, New York Times, 14 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

Dictionary Entries Near familial

Cite this Entry

“Familial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/familial. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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