maternal
adjective
1. characteristic of a mother
- warm maternal affection for her guest
Similar word(s): maternalistic, motherlike, motherly, matriarchal
2. relating to or derived from one's mother
- maternal genes
3. relating to or characteristic of or befitting a parent
Similar word(s): parental, paternal
4. related on the mother's side
- my maternal grandmother
Similar word(s): related, enate, enatic
Sentences with maternal as an adjective:
- His weakness seemed to bring out her maternal instincts.
- Toby is my maternal uncle.