fraternal
adjective
fra·ter·nal frə-ˈtər-nᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or involving brothers
fraternal love
b
: of, relating to, or being a fraternity or society
a fraternal order
a fraternal chapter house
2
: derived from two ova : dizygotic
fraternal twins
3
: friendly, brotherly
There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.
fraternalism
frə-ˈtər-nə-ˌliz-əm
noun fraternally
frə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē
adverb 
Synonyms
- brotherly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He belonged to a fraternal organization. There was a fraternal feeling among the troops.
Recent Examples on the Web One of the world’s oldest fraternal organizations, the Freemasons’ origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages. 
Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2022 According to new Title IX guidelines, property owned and operated by fraternal organizations that are not formally recognized by the university are not covered by Title IX rules. Seamus Mcavoy, courant.com, 9 Feb. 2022 Members of fraternal organizations, political organizations, religious groups, and Rotary and Lions clubs are the backbones of these events. Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, 27 Jan. 2022 Despite its many run-ins with the law, the organization was fundamentally successful - an all-male, virtually all-White, dues-paying fraternal order with a brisk retail trade in club paraphernalia. Paul W. Valentine, Anchorage Daily News, 30 June 2022 Despite its many run-ins with the law, the organization was fundamentally successful — an all-male, virtually all-White, dues-paying fraternal order with a brisk retail trade in club paraphernalia. Paul W. Valentine, Washington Post, 30 June 2022 The phallo groups are a virtual support group crossed with a bootleg med-school education crossed with perhaps the world’s first fraternal order that freely proclaims what the rest suppress as subtext. New York Times, 10 May 2022 Along with his fraternal twin Adam, Arimborgo rode the Naperville soccer boon in middle school before switching to an obsessive fascination with a new sport. Patrick Z. Mcgavin, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2022 As the fraternal twin brother of Wanda, Pietro Maximoff (a.k.a. Quicksilver) is no stranger to Marvel fans. Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2022 According to new Title IX guidelines, property owned and operated by fraternal organizations that are not formally recognized by the university are not covered by Title IX rules. Seamus Mcavoy, courant.com, 9 Feb. 2022 Members of fraternal organizations, political organizations, religious groups, and Rotary and Lions clubs are the backbones of these events. Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, 27 Jan. 2022 Despite its many run-ins with the law, the organization was fundamentally successful - an all-male, virtually all-White, dues-paying fraternal order with a brisk retail trade in club paraphernalia. Paul W. Valentine, Anchorage Daily News, 30 June 2022 Despite its many run-ins with the law, the organization was fundamentally successful — an all-male, virtually all-White, dues-paying fraternal order with a brisk retail trade in club paraphernalia. Paul W. Valentine, Washington Post, 30 June 2022 The phallo groups are a virtual support group crossed with a bootleg med-school education crossed with perhaps the world’s first fraternal order that freely proclaims what the rest suppress as subtext. New York Times, 10 May 2022 Along with his fraternal twin Adam, Arimborgo rode the Naperville soccer boon in middle school before switching to an obsessive fascination with a new sport. Patrick Z. Mcgavin, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2022 As the fraternal twin brother of Wanda, Pietro Maximoff (a.k.a. Quicksilver) is no stranger to Marvel fans. Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin fraternalis, from Latin fraternus, from frater brother — more at brother
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing fraternal
Kids Definition
fraternal
adjective
fra·ter·nal frə-ˈtər-nᵊl
1
: having to do with brothers
fraternal affection
2
: made up of members banded together like brothers
a fraternal organization
Medical Definition
fraternal
adjective
fra·ter·nal frə-ˈtərn-ᵊl
: derived from two ova : dizygotic
fraternal twins
fraternal
adjective
as in familial
of, relating to, or befitting brothers there was a fraternal bond between the two boys all throughout their school years Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- familial
- brotherly
- sisterly
- neighborly
- friendly
- chummy