Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [muhth -er-lee]
- /ˈmʌð ər li/
- /ˈmʌð.əl.i/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [muhth -er-lee]
- /ˈmʌð ər li/
Definitions of motherly word
- adjective motherly pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a mother; maternal: motherly solicitude. 1
- adjective motherly like a mother: to take a motherly interest in an orphan. 1
- adverb motherly in the manner of a mother. 1
- noun motherly Of, resembling, or characteristic of a mother, especially in being caring, protective, and kind. 1
- adjective motherly maternal, of a mother 1
- adjective motherly Motherly feelings or actions are like those of a kind mother. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of motherly
First appearance:
before 1000 One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1000; Middle English moderly, Old English mōdorlīc. See mother1, -ly
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Motherly
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
motherly popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
motherly usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for motherly
adj motherly
- affectionate — If you are affectionate, you show your love or fondness for another person in the way that you behave towards them.
- careful — If you are careful, you give serious attention to what you are doing, in order to avoid harm, damage, or mistakes. If you are careful to do something, you make sure that you do it.
- comforting — If you say that something is comforting, you mean it makes you feel less worried or unhappy.
- devoted — Someone who is devoted to a person loves that person very much.
- fond — having a liking or affection for (usually followed by of): to be fond of animals.
adjective motherly
- kindly — having, showing, or proceeding from a benevolent disposition or spirit; kindhearted: kindly people.
Antonyms for motherly
adjective motherly
- uncaring — a state of mind in which one is troubled; worry, anxiety, or concern: He was never free from care.
adverb motherly
- patriarchal — of or relating to a patriarch, the male head of a family, tribe, community, church, order, etc.: my father's conservative, patriarchal ways.
- fatherly — of, like, or befitting a father.
Top questions with motherly
- what does motherly mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with m
- Words starting with mo
- Words starting with mot
- Words starting with moth
- Words starting with mothe
- Words starting with mother
- Words starting with motherl
- Words starting with motherly