Fraternal
/frəˈtɜːrnəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to brothers; brotherly; characteristic of or befitting a brother.
/frəˈtɜːrnəl/
Relating to brothers; brotherly.
The fraternal twins looked remarkably alike.
💡 Simply: Think of your best friend, but with a family connection. 'Fraternal' means like brothers, sharing a close, supportive bond. Like in a group where everyone helps each other out, kind of like a secret club!
👶 For kids: Like brothers and sisters! When people in a group are like brothers, they are fraternal.
More Examples
The club promotes a fraternal spirit among its members.
He experienced fraternal love from his older brother.
How It's Used
"He had a very close fraternal bond with his twin brother."
"The fraternal order provides social and charitable activities."
Relating to twins developed from two separate eggs.
/frəˈtɜːrnəl/
Relating to or denoting a type of twin that develops from two separate eggs.
Unlike identical twins, fraternal twins develop from separate eggs.
💡 Simply: Remember those twins that don't look exactly alike? That's usually because they're 'fraternal' twins. It means they came from different eggs, not the same one.
👶 For kids: Twins who look different are called fraternal twins!
More Examples
Fraternal twins can be the same or different genders.
The doctor confirmed that the ultrasound revealed fraternal twins.
How It's Used
"The fraternal twins, though siblings, did not look identical."
"Fraternal twins are also known as dizygotic twins."
Idioms & expressions
Fraternal twin
A twin that develops from two separate eggs and has different genetic makeup.
"The doctor confirmed she was expecting fraternal twins."
From Latin *fraternus* meaning 'brotherly', derived from *frater* meaning 'brother'.
The word 'fraternal' has been in use since the 15th century, reflecting the concept of brotherly connection and later applying to scientific understanding of twins.
Memory tip
Think of a fraternity; it's like a brotherly group.