Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Resembling or characteristic of a brother: Exhibiting the qualities, feelings, or behaviors typically associated with a brother, such as loyalty, affection, protectiveness, or camaraderie.
   • Suitable for or befitting a brother: Appropriate to the relationship between brothers.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • His brotherlike concern for her well-being was deeply touching. (His concern, resembling that of a brother, was deeply touching.)
  • They shared a brotherlike bond, always supporting each other through difficult times. (They shared a bond characteristic of brothers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to describe non-familial relationships that possess the depth, loyalty, and informal closeness typically found between biological brothers.
  • The soldiers developed a brotherlike camaraderie during their service.
• It can describe an attitude or action that is protective and kind in a fraternal way.
  • He offered brotherlike advice to his younger colleague.

Variants and Related Words

• Brotherly (adj): Having the qualities of a brother; affectionate and loyal. This is a more common synonym.
  • He gave me a brotherly pat on the back.
• Fraternal (adj): Relating to or involving brothers; of or like a brother. Often used in formal contexts (e.g., fraternal organizations).
  • They have a strong fraternal bond.

Synonyms

• Fraternal: Pertaining to brothers; brotherly.
• Comradely: Characteristic of a comrade; friendly and loyal.

Related Phrases

• Brotherly love: A feeling of affection and loyalty akin to that between brothers.
  • The community was built on a foundation of brotherly love.
• In a brotherly manner: Acting with the kindness or protectiveness of a brother.
  • He guided the new student in a brotherly manner.

Adjective

1. like or characteristic of or befitting a brother
   • brotherly feelings
   • close fraternal ties