Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Characteristic of or befitting a brother: Having the qualities of kindness, loyalty, affection, and support typically associated with a brother.
   • Showing camaraderie and affection: Demonstrating a close, supportive, and affectionate bond similar to that between brothers, often extending to friends or comrades.

2. Adverb (Archaic):

   • In a brotherly manner: Acting with the kindness, affection, or loyalty characteristic of a brother.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • He gave me some brotherly advice when I was feeling lost.
  • There was a strong, brotherly bond among the members of the team.
  • She appreciated his brotherly concern for her well-being.

• Adverb (Archaic):

  • The knights swore to defend each other brotherly. (Note: In modern usage, "in a brotherly way/manner" is preferred.)

Advanced Usage

• "Brotherly love": A specific phrase denoting the affectionate, loyal, and selfless love characteristic of the bond between brothers, often extended to mean a deep, non-romantic love between friends or within a community.
  • The community was built on a foundation of brotherly love and mutual respect.

Variants and Related Words

• Brotherliness (noun): The quality of being brotherly.

  • His brotherliness made him a trusted friend to many.

• Fraternal (adjective): A more formal synonym often used in organizational contexts (e.g., fraternal order). It shares the core meaning of "brotherly."

  • They belong to a fraternal society dedicated to charitable work.

Synonyms

• Fraternal
• Affectionate
• Comradely
• Supportive

Antonyms

• Hostile
• Unfriendly
• Antagonistic

Related Phrases

• Brotherly love: As defined in 'Advanced Usage'.
• Like a brother: Behaving with the loyalty and familiarity of a sibling.
  • He treated her like a brother, always protective and honest.

Adjective

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

Adverb

1. (archaic as adverb) in a brotherly manner