WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
fra•ter•nal /frəˈtɜrnəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- of or befitting a brother;
brotherly. - of or being a society of men who are associated in brotherly union, such as for mutual aid or benefit:[before a noun]a fraternal order.
fra•ter•nal
(frə tûr′nl),USA pronunciation adj.
fra•ter′nal•ism, n.
fra•ter′nal•ly, adv.
- of or befitting a brother or brothers;
brotherly. - of or being a society of men associated in brotherly union, as for mutual aid or benefit:a fraternal order; a fraternal association.
- Latin frātern(us) fraternal (derivative of frāter brother) + -al1
- late Middle English 1375–1425
fra•ter′nal•ly, adv.
'fraternally' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):