paternal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The parents of Child C, who described their son as a "sunny child", said Bennett had "seemed clumsy but very paternal", which was something they initially liked.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026
The older girl hides her face, but her sister keeps watching as a paternal figure explains the physics.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026
Like me, my paternal grandfather and my father also held decent white-collar jobs throughout their working lives and invested in the the stock market.
From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026
The others are the author’s paternal grandparents, José María and Petra Peña.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026
“May they haf oranges and figs?” asked Mr. Bhaer, with a paternal air.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Vocabulary lists containing paternal
It's All in the Family
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Not Your Father's Word List: Pater, Patr
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Father's Day Words
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