family

Pronunciation: /ˈfæm.(ə.)li/

Reading level: easy

Estimated CEFR level: A1 — Beginner

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a social unit living together
  2. noun primary social group; parents and children
  3. noun a collection of things sharing a common attribute

Etymology

From Late Middle English famylye, from Latin familia (“a household”). Displaced native Old English hīred. Doublet of familia.

In classic literature

Synonyms

household, house, home, menage

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
unit
Narrower (hyponyms)
menage a trois, broken home, nuclear family, foster family, extended family, foster home

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