sisterly

Sisterly is an adjective that most commonly means like a sister. It’s especially used in a positive way to describe someone as being loyal, supportive, and protective—like a good sister who loves and cares about you.

Describing someone as sisterly sometimes implies that they’re like an older sister who can give good advice.

Sisterly is most often used to describe sisters themselves and the sisterly things they do, but it can be applied to someone who’s not a sister, as in I don’t have a sister, but I always rely on Jane for sisterly support. 

Sisterly can also be used as an adverb meaning in the manner of a sister.

Sisterly is one of many similar terms based on family relations, including brotherly, motherly, fatherly, grandmotherly, and grandfatherly.

Example: I’m lucky that my sisters and I have always shared a sisterly affection—we all support each other.

The first records of the word sisterly come from the 1500s. The suffix -ly is often used to form adverbs, but in the case of the adjective sisterly it means “like” (i.e., like a sister).

The common meaning of sisterly is based not on any sister but on a good sister, one who is supportive and loyal. The phrase sisterly advice typically refers to advice that comes from experience and is intended to help you be the best you can be. Such advice can come from your actual sister or from a person who’s like a sister to you.

What are some other forms related to sisterly?

• sisterliness (noun)
• unsisterly (adjective)

What are some synonyms for sisterly?

• sororal
• sororally (when sisterly is used as an adverb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with sisterly? 

• sister
• sisterhood
• brotherly
• fatherly
• motherly
• grandfatherly
• grandmotherly

What are some words that often get used in discussing sisterly?

• advice
• support
• talk
• supportive
• loving
• loyal
• affection
• relationship

Sisterly is usually used in a positive way to describe a woman or something she does as being like a good sister. It can be applied to sisters or people who are not sisters.

I can't wait to see my sisters tomorrow! I'm going to NY I need my sisterly love!!!!

— Khloé (@khloekardashian) November 1, 2010

It was amazing meeting you too @AlexandriaV2005 !

Im always here for big sisterly advice whenever you need it.

Here’s to the youth climate movement 🤩💪🏼! https://t.co/GzzfkqdPmb

— Jamie Margolin (@Jamie_Margolin) March 4, 2019

Waiting to go into a big sister mentorship volunteer interview. Wish more older women in the workplace would be more sisterly.

— Tanya L. (@nolahola81) March 29, 2011

Which of the following actions could be described as sisterly?

A. giving you good advice
B. supporting you
C. cheering you on
D. all of the above