cousinly
/'kʌznli/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Characteristic of or suitable for a cousin: Exhibiting the warmth, friendliness, or informal affection typically associated with the relationship between cousins.
- Resembling the behavior or manner of a cousin: Marked by a familiar, often kindly, but not intensely intimate connection.
Usage
The adjective "cousinly" is used to describe actions, feelings, or relationships that are akin to those shared between cousins. It implies a friendly, affectionate, and familial bond that is less close than that between siblings but more connected than a mere friendship. It is often used to qualify nouns like affection, regard, kiss, or relationship.
Examples
- She gave him a cousinly hug when they met at the family reunion.
- His interest in her career was kind and cousinly, without any romantic overtones.
- They maintained a warm, cousinly correspondence over the years.
Advanced Usage
- In a cousinly manner (adverbial form): While "cousinly" is primarily an adjective, the phrase "in a cousinly manner" can function adverbially.
- He treated her in a cousinly manner, always protective but never possessive.
Variants and Related Words
- Cousin (n): The relative from which the adjective is derived; the child of one's aunt or uncle.
- Cousinhood / Cousinship (n): The state of being cousins; the relationship between cousins.
Synonyms
- Familial: Relating to or characteristic of a family.
- Avuncular (specifically for an uncle-like manner; a related concept for a different familial role).
- Friendly: Kind and pleasant. (Note: "Cousinly" specifies a familial type of friendliness.)
Antonyms
- Unfriendly: Not friendly.
- Distant: Emotionally reserved or not closely related.
- Romantic: Involving feelings of love and passion (as "cousinly" explicitly excludes this).
Related Phrases/Idioms
- Kiss cousins: A colloquial term for distant relatives or people closely associated. The adjective "cousinly" can describe the nature of such a connection.
- Their families were so close, they were like kiss cousins and shared a cousinly fondness for each other.
Adjective
- like or befitting a cousin
- a cousinly kiss