filial
adjective
fil·ial ˈfi-lē-əl 
ˈfil-yəl
1
: of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter
filial obedience
filial love
2
: having or assuming the relation of a child or offspring
The new village has a filial relationship with the original settlement.
filially
ˈfi-lē-ə-lē
adverb ˈfil-yə-lē
Did you know?
Filial Has Familial Origins
Filial comes from Latin filius, meaning "son," and filia, "daughter"; in English, it applies to any gender. The word has long carried the dutiful sense "owed to a parent by a child," as found in such phrases as "filial respect" and "filial piety." These days it can also be used more generally for any emotion or behavior of a child to a parent.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Stream assumed his filial responsibilities in 2004, at a time when diversifying beyond oil and gas was becoming increasingly important to the family and the region. 
Wired, 29 July 2022 Since the holiday is all about filial piety (which is service and respect to one's parents, elders, and ancestors), there are several traditional practices associated with the day, as well as taboos. Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 14 July 2022 That trustworthiness isn’t confined to the filial and social circles. Jon Michail, Forbes, 24 June 2022 To find answers means more truth, less filial piety, and God knows how much more time. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 Once it was decided the summit would be held in the U.S. for the first time since the inaugural session in 1994, organizers thought Los Angeles was a natural fit given its strong cultural, economic, filial and political ties to Latin America. Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Though this kind of lawsuit is rare, the topic of familial obligation has long been controversial in India, where carrying on the family line and caring for elderly parents and in-laws is often seen as a filial duty. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 May 2022 Once in the capital, James sinks deep into the filial and political dysfunction of the kingdom. Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2022 At times scathing and hilarious, the rollicking tale considers the thorny themes of assimilation, identity, pride, filial piety, transracial adoption, and interracial relationships. Chloe Schama, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2021 See More
Wired, 29 July 2022 Since the holiday is all about filial piety (which is service and respect to one's parents, elders, and ancestors), there are several traditional practices associated with the day, as well as taboos. Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 14 July 2022 That trustworthiness isn’t confined to the filial and social circles. Jon Michail, Forbes, 24 June 2022 To find answers means more truth, less filial piety, and God knows how much more time. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 Once it was decided the summit would be held in the U.S. for the first time since the inaugural session in 1994, organizers thought Los Angeles was a natural fit given its strong cultural, economic, filial and political ties to Latin America. Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Though this kind of lawsuit is rare, the topic of familial obligation has long been controversial in India, where carrying on the family line and caring for elderly parents and in-laws is often seen as a filial duty. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 17 May 2022 Once in the capital, James sinks deep into the filial and political dysfunction of the kingdom. Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2022 At times scathing and hilarious, the rollicking tale considers the thorny themes of assimilation, identity, pride, filial piety, transracial adoption, and interracial relationships. Chloe Schama, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Late Latin filialis, from Latin filius son — more at feminine
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing filial
Kids Definition
filial
adjective
fil·ial ˈfi-lē-əl
ˈfil-yəl
: relating to or suitable for a son or daughter
filial affection