family
family
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "family" is /ˈfæm.ə.li/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
First Syllable (/ˈfæm/):
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/m/ - bilabial nasal
Second Syllable (/ə/):
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
Third Syllable (/li/):
/l/ - alveolar lateral approximant
/i/ - close front unrounded vowel
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: family
Plural Noun: families
Adjective: familial (e.g., familial ties)
Adverb: familiarly (e.g., He spoke familiarly about the subject.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A primary social group typically consisting of a father, mother, and their children, or one parent and their children, who are united by ties of marriage, blood, or adoption, and who form a single household.
Synonyms: household, kin, relatives, next of kin, kinsfolk
Antonyms: strangers, unrelated individuals
Definition 2: A group of people descended from a common ancestor, often extending beyond the immediate household to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Synonyms: lineage, ancestry, clan, kindred, tribe
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms for this specific sense, as it refers to a group)
Definition 3: A group of related things or beings, especially a classification used in biology to categorize organisms below an order and above a genus.
Synonyms: category, group, class, set, classification
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms, as it refers to a grouping)
Definition 4: A group of products or services that are related in function or origin, often marketed together.
Synonyms: range, line, collection, series
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms)
Adjective
familial
Definition: Of or relating to a family or its members; characteristic of a family.
Synonyms: domestic, kindred, genetic, hereditary, ancestral
Antonyms: unrelated, impersonal, foreign
Adverb
familiarly
Definition: In a way that is well-known or easily recognized; with an intimate or informal knowledge.
Synonyms: intimately, informally, casually, commonly, accustomed
Antonyms: formally, unfamiliarity, oddly, strangely
Examples of Use
Books:
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina) - This classic opening line immediately establishes the central theme of family dynamics.
"Every family has a secret, and secrets, by their nature, are always destructive." (Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns) - Here, "family" refers to the intimate group and the hidden truths within it.
Newspapers:
"The government has announced new initiatives to support families struggling with the rising cost of living, focusing on childcare subsidies and housing assistance." (Daily Nation, 2025) - This uses "families" in the collective sense of households and dependents.
"A local family was displaced after a house fire, but the community quickly rallied to provide shelter and support." (The Standard, 2025) - This refers to a specific household unit.
Online Publications:
"How to balance work and family life in a demanding career: Tips from top executives." (Forbes.com, 2025) - This refers to the sphere of personal life and relationships.
"The new study reveals a strong correlation between healthy eating habits and familial support systems." (WebMD.com, 2025) - Here, the adjective "familial" describes something related to or characteristic of a family.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "Modern Family" (ABC) - The title itself highlights the show's focus on the diverse and evolving dynamics of contemporary families.
Film: "The Incredibles" (Pixar Animation Studios) - This animated film centers on a family of superheroes and their efforts to balance their extraordinary lives with the challenges of everyday family life.
Music: "We Are Family" (Sister Sledge) - This popular disco song celebrates the strong bonds and support found within a family, using the word to evoke unity and shared experience.
Video Game: "The Sims" (Electronic Arts) - Players create and manage virtual characters, often building and developing their "sim families," making decisions about their daily lives and relationships.
Social Media (Instagram caption): "Beach days with the family are the best! Soaking up the sun and making memories. #familytime #vacation" (User post, 2025) - This is a common, informal use referring to one's immediate relatives.
General Public Discourse:
"We need to create a society where every child feels safe and part of a loving family." (Speech by a child welfare advocate, Public Forum, 2025) - Here, "family" refers to a supportive and nurturing unit, not necessarily biological.
"My family has always been my biggest support system; I wouldn't be where I am today without them." (Interview with an athlete, Local Sports Talk Show, 2025) - This emphasizes the emotional and practical support provided by one's closest relatives.
"Let's make sure we have a family meeting to discuss our vacation plans." (Casual conversation between friends, 2025) - This refers to a gathering of household members to discuss something important.
"The company prides itself on fostering a family-like atmosphere among its employees." (Employer's statement during a job fair, 2025) - This uses "family-like" metaphorically to describe a supportive and close-knit work environment.
10 Famous Quotes Using Family
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina)
"The family is one of nature's masterpieces." (George Santayana)
"I sustain myself with the love of family." (Maya Angelou)
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." (Desmond Tutu)
"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." (George A. Moore, often attributed to family/home)
"The most important thing in the world is family and love." (John Wooden)
"In time of test, family is best." (Burmese Proverb)
"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten." (Lilo & Stitch)
"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life." (Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah)
"Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life." (Albert Einstein)
Etymology
The word "family" has a really interesting history that might surprise you!
It comes to us from the Latin word "familia." Now, when we hear "family" today, we usually think of parents and children. But in ancient Rome, "familia" had a much broader meaning. It primarily referred to all the people living under one roof and under the authority of a single head of household, including not just relatives, but also all the household servants and even slaves. The root of "familia" is "famulus," which meant "servant" or "slave."
So, the very first known use of "family" in English, which was around the 15th century (the 1400s), carried this original Latin meaning. It referred to "servants of a household" or the "collective body of persons who form one household under one head and one domestic government, including parents, children, and servants."
Over time, especially as societies changed and the role of servants in households became more distinct, the meaning of "family" gradually shifted. By the 17th and 18th centuries, it started to focus more on the idea of "parents with their children" and then expanded to include people related by blood, like aunts, uncles, and cousins.
So, while "family" today strongly emphasizes blood ties and close personal relationships, its origins actually highlight a broader concept of a household, with a strong emphasis on those who served within it.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Family
Family values: Beliefs and moral principles traditionally upheld and transmitted within a family.
Family tree: A diagram showing the relationships between members of a family.
Family resemblance: A similarity in appearance or character shared by members of the same family.
Family affair: An event or situation involving members of a family.
Family name: A surname; the name shared by members of a family.
Family man: A man who is devoted to his family.
Family jewels: (Informal, often humorous) Valuables, especially heirlooms, passed down through a family.
In the family: Owned or possessed by members of a family, often for generations.
One big happy family: A group of people who get along very well, often used ironically.
Family circle: The immediate members of a family.
Family dinner: A meal eaten together by the family.
Like one of the family: Treated with the same affection and consideration as a family member.
Family feud: A prolonged and bitter quarrel between two families or factions within a family.
Family unit: The basic group of parents and their children.
The family business: A business owned and operated by members of the same family.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of family from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
