motherly

adjective

moth·​er·​ly ˈmə-t͟hər-lē How to pronounce motherly (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother
motherly advice
2
: resembling a mother : maternal
motherliness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite this, Jen still harbored hopes of playing a motherly role in the teen’s life. Ashley Vega, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 The image that Ruby and Myka sold to their viewers relied on the veneration of motherly authority—the idea that the domestic sphere is where women hold court and exert quiet control. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025 Hewitt cites motherly love as a major source of strength throughout her entire life. Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2025 Why Amanda feels motherly towards Will was revealed in the season one finale, only for another secret Amanda hid to create tension between them in season two. Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for motherly

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of motherly was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Motherly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motherly. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

motherly

adjective
moth·​er·​ly ˈmət͟h-ər-lē How to pronounce motherly (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a mother
motherly affection
2
: resembling a mother
motherliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on motherly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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