paternal

adjective

pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtər-nᵊl 

1

a

: of or relating to a father

offered his children some paternal advice

paternal responsibilities

b

: like that of a father

paternal benevolence

2

: received or inherited from one's male parent

lived and worked on his paternal farm

3

: related through one's father

paternal grandfather

paternally

pə-ˈtər-nᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of paternal in a Sentence

He did not neglect his paternal responsibilities after the divorce.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their two-year-old sister Love, her mother, Dana Tran, their paternal grandmother, Janice Combs, and their father are also in the photo. —Lisa Respers France, CNN, 22 Oct. 2024

Then, on my father’s side, who is from Louisiana, [my paternal grandmother] also sewed for her 16 children. —Ruth Etiesit Samuel, Essence, 8 Oct. 2024

Retailing for $89, the brand is named for Beyoncé’s paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, a farmer and moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 29 Sep. 2024

Queen Sofia of Spain, Theodora’s paternal aunt, is expected to be in attendance, according to Hello!. —Rachel Burchfield, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin paternalis, from Latin paternus paternal, from pater

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

paternal

adjective

pa·​ter·​nal pə-ˈtərn-ᵊl 

1

: fatherly

paternal advice

2

: received or inherited from one's father

3

: related through the father

a paternal grandfather

paternally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin paternalis "fatherly," from earlier paternus (same meaning), from pater "father" — related to padre, patron, pattern