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 

ˈfil-yə-lē

adverb

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.

Examples of filial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Whatever filial fantasy inspired him to join his father’s navy has died for Alyn, who shaves the white hair that would give him away as a Velaryon. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 21 July 2024

Walter Wang, who was one of his two sons, described feeling a kind of filial duty. —Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Those who do not marry—mostly men—will shoulder this filial burden alone. —Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2021

Historically, even ancient traditions that take filial piety very seriously acknowledge that there will always be a tension between caring for your parents and caring for yourself. —Sigal Samuel, Vox, 8 Sep. 2024

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

• filial generation

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Kids Definition

filial

adjective

fil·​i·​al

ˈfil-ē-əl,

ˈfil-yəl

1

: of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter

filial obedience

2

: being or having the relation of a child or offspring