English Explanatory Dictionary

motherly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Befitting a mother; warm, caring, nurturing, protective, loving.
adv
  1. In a way pertaining to, befitting, or of a mother.

Pronunciation

/ˈmʌðəli/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-motherly.wav /ˈmʌðɚli/

Word forms

motherly more motherly most motherly

Etymology

From Middle English moderly, from Old English mōdorlīċ (“motherly, maternal”), from Proto-Germanic *mōdērlīkaz (“motherly, maternal”), equivalent to mother + -ly.

Synonyms

maternal motherful motherlike maternally

Related words

earth-motherly

Derived words

motherliness unmotherly
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