What does sisterly mean?
Sisterly means affectionate, caring, or supportive in the way a sister typically is. It can describe an attitude or act, as in sisterly advice, and also a relationship founded on mutual concern and emotional support, as in a sisterly friendship. The word often carries a warm, approving connotation and suggests more than ordinary friendliness: it implies attentiveness, protectiveness, and a willingness to help. Although the expression draws on the traditional image of sisters, it is not limited to biological sisters and can describe how people treat close friends, colleagues, or community members. Sisterly is also used directly for relationships and bonds between sisters. Its distinctive force comes from combining familial warmth with the broader idea of treating someone with the care one would naturally offer to a sister.
adjectiveResembling or behaving like a sister, especially in being affectionate, caring, supportive, or understanding. It can also describe a bond or relationship between sisters.
- Affectionate, caring, or supportive in a way considered characteristic of sisters.
- Relating to or characteristic of a relationship between sisters.
"The two colleagues shared a sisterly friendship that helped them through difficult times."
"Her sisterly advice helped me make sense of the problem."
"The organization promotes a sisterly community among its members."
Sisterly describes a special kind of love: the warmth and fierce support of a sister, extended to friends, colleagues, or anyone treated like family.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sisterly come from?
Sisterly was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to the noun sister, producing an adjective meaning “like or characteristic of a sister.” The word sister comes through Middle English from Old English sweostor, with a related Old English form swuster; both continue Proto-Germanic *swestēr. Related forms appear in languages including German Schwester, Dutch zuster, Old Norse systir, and Sanskrit svasar. The suffix -ly ultimately developed from forms associated with Old English līc, meaning “body” or “form,” and was used to create adjectives expressing likeness or character.
Related word forms
How sisterly is actually used
The adjective is warm and approving, emphasizing affection, emotional support, and concern for another person's wellbeing. It is sometimes used more broadly to describe supportive relationships between women, but it can apply to people of any gender.
Easily confused with sisterly
A sister is a female sibling or a term of address, whereas sisterly is an adjective describing affection, care, support, or a relationship that resembles that between sisters.