maternal

4 definitions • 5 examples

behaving or feeling in the way that a mother does towards her child, especially in a kind, loving way:

maternal instincts

She is very maternal towards her employees.

related to a mother's side of the family:

Her maternal grandmother (= mother's mother) is still alive.

behaving or feeling as a mother does toward her child:

maternal instincts

Maternal also means related by way of the mother:

Alice’s maternal grandmother (= her mother’s mother) will be 90 next month.