filial
adjective
fil·ial
| \ ˈfi-lē-əl
, ˈfil-yəl\
, ˈfil-yəl\
Definition of filial
1
: of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter
filial obedience filial love
2
: having or assuming the relation of a child or offspring
The new village has a filial relationship with the original settlement.
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Other Words from filial
filially
\ ˈfi-lē-ə-lē
, ˈfil-yə-lē \
adverb
, ˈfil-yə-lē \
adverb
Examples of filial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their noses touch in bed at night, and what courses between them is platonic, romantic, filial all at once. — Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, "“Euphoria” and the Flawed Art of Gen Z Prophesying," 16 June 2019 In each grouping, Block looks at major themes such as depression, trials of retirement, isolation, love, friends and betrayal, filial love and vocational integrity. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, "Reading recommendations: Mystery, nonfiction and books for kids from Minnesota writers," 27 July 2019 Using the language of familial bonds is a powerful way to instill political fealty in a culture that enshrines filial piety. — Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, "Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Backs Down, but the Protests Continue," 17 June 2019 Confucius stressed the cultivation of personal qualities such as benevolence, reciprocity, and filial piety. — National Geographic, "Who was Confucius?," 26 Mar. 2019 After she is murdered, two copies of her will are found—one favoring the son, the other the rental relatives—dramatizing the tension between received pieties about filial love and the economic relations that bind parents and children. — Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, "Japan’s Rent-a-Family Industry," 23 Apr. 2018 There is also a strong dose of filial loyalty involved. — Chris Jennings, WSJ, "‘Mother American Night’ Review: The Opening of a Western Mind," 14 June 2018 Another became an enduring symbol of filial devotion, her milestone birthdays celebrated throughout the empire. — Susan Delson, WSJ, "At Museums, a Vanished Chinese Realm of Female Power," 20 July 2018 In the opening story, a student at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop navigates his filial relationship with his Vietnamese father who has come for a visit. — Nicole Lamy, New York Times, "Dear Match Book: Hidden Gems," 27 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'filial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for filial
filial
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of filial
formal
: of or relating to a son or daughter : appropriate for a son or daughter
See the full definition for filial in the English Language Learners Dictionary
filial
adjective
fil·ial
| \ ˈfi-lē-əl
, ˈfil-yəl\
, ˈfil-yəl\
Kids Definition of filial
: relating to or suitable for a son or daughter
filial affection