Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characteristic of or befitting an offspring: Describes the appropriate qualities, duties, or feelings of a child toward their parents.
   • Designating the generation or the sequence of generations following the parental generation: Used in biology and genetics to describe the relationship between successive generations.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • She showed filial devotion by caring for her elderly parents.
  • In many cultures, filial piety is a cornerstone of family ethics.
  • The filial generation in the experiment exhibited the recessive trait.

Advanced Usage

• "filial piety": A concept, especially in Confucian philosophy, denoting a virtue of respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors.

  • The story is a classic tale of filial piety and sacrifice.

• "filial duty/obligation": The responsibility a child is expected to have toward their parents.

  • He felt a strong sense of filial obligation to succeed in his career.

Variants and Related Words

• Filially (adverb): In a filial manner.
  • He acted filially throughout the proceedings.

Synonyms

• Dutiful (as a child)
• Respectful (toward parents)
• Obedient (in a child's context)

Antonyms

• Unfilial
• Disrespectful (toward parents)
• Undutiful

Related Phrases

• Filial bond: The emotional connection between parent and child.

  • The filial bond between them was unbreakable.

• Filial relationship: The nature of the connection between generations.

  • Their filial relationship was complex but loving.

Adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of or befitting an offspring
   • filial respect
2. designating the generation or the sequence of generations following the parental generation