motherly

adjective

moth·​er·​ly ˈmə-t͟hər-lē 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother

motherly advice

2

: resembling a mother : maternal

motherliness noun

Synonyms

• maternal
• mother

Examples of motherly in a Sentence

She took her motherly duties very seriously.

she showed a sweet motherly tenderness toward the tiny kitten she was taking care of

Recent Examples on the Web

Which then draws parallels to the motherly figures in his life. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024

Margaret is there in her warm and cozy motherly role. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Goodspeed audiences saw how smartly McLane put her stamp on Rose, finding a motherly heart and soul that lingered through the whole show (whereas Merman was Merman, waiting to uncork a brassy finish). —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Jan. 2024

Chloé’s story, accompanied by nearly subliminal youth flashbacks, benefits from implicating Judith’s own motherly concern. —Armond White, National Review, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

motherly

adjective

moth·​er·​ly ˈmət͟h-ər-lē 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother

motherly affection

2

: resembling a mother

motherliness noun