Paternal

Pronunciation: /pəˈtɜːrnəl/

Paternal (adjective)

  1. Showing care or kindness like a father.
  2. Related to your father's family.
  3. Connected to a father's role or authority.

Examples

  • He showed a paternal concern for the child's well-being.
  • Her paternal instincts kicked in when she saw the baby.

Common collocations: paternal instincts, paternal care, paternal affection, paternal lineage, paternal heritage

Synonyms of Paternal

Formal

Neutral

Antonyms of Paternal

  • describing qualities related to a mother