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familial
adjective
fa·mil·ial
fə-ˈmil-yəl
-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
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 
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Word History
Etymology
French, from Latin familia
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing familial
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
: of, relating to, or typical of a family
Medical Definition
familial
adjective
fa·mil·ial
fə-ˈmil-yəl
: 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
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