A family is a group of people who are related to each other, especially parents and their children.
There's room in there for a family of five. [+ of]
His family are completely behind him, whatever he decides.
To him the family is the core of society.
Does he have any family?
Synonyms: relations, people, children, issue More Synonyms of family
2. countable noun [with singular or plural verb]
When people talk about a family, they sometimes mean children.
They decided to start a family.
...couples with large families.
3. countable noun [with singular or plural verb]
When people talk about their family, they sometimes mean their ancestors.
Her family came to Los Angeles at the turn of the century.
...homes where their families had lived for generations.
...the history of mental illness in the family.
Synonyms: ancestors, forebears, parentage, forefathers More Synonyms of family
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use family to describe things that belong to a particular family.
He returned to the family home.
I was working in the family business.
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use family to describe things that are designed to be used or enjoyed by both parents and children.
It had been designed as a family house.
A wedding is a family event.
6. countable noun
A family of animals or plants is a group of related species.
...foods in the cabbage family, such as Brussels sprouts.
Synonyms: species, group, class, system More Synonyms of family
More Synonyms of family
family in British English
(ˈfæmɪlɪ, ˈfæmlɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-lies
1.
a.
a primary social group consisting of parents and their offspring, the principal function of which is provision for its members
b.
(as modifier)
family quarrels
a family unit
2.
one's wife or husband and one's children
3.
one's children, as distinguished from one's husband or wife
4.
a group of persons related by blood; a group descended from a common ancestor
Compare extended family
5.
all the persons living together in one household
6.
any group of related things or beings, esp when scientifically categorized
7. biology
any of the taxonomic groups into which an order is divided and which contains oneor more genera. Felidae (cat family) and Canidae (dog family) are two families of the order Carnivora
8. ecology
a group of organisms of the same species living together in a community
9.
a group of historically related languages assumed to derive from one original language
10. mainly US
an independent local group of the Mafia
11. mathematics
a group of curves or surfaces whose equations differ from a given equation only in the values assigned to one or more constants in each curve
a family of concentric circles
12. physics
the isotopes, collectively, that comprise a radioactive series
13. in the family way
Word origin
C15: from Latin familia a household, servants of the house, from famulus servant
family in American English
(ˈfæməli; ˈfæmli)
nounWord forms: pluralˈfamilies
1. Obsolete
all the people living in the same house; household
see also extended family
2.
a.
a social unit consisting of parents and the children they rear
see also nuclear family
b.
the children of the same parents
c.
one's husband (or wife) and children
3.
a group of people related by ancestry or marriage; relatives
4.
all those claiming descent from a common ancestor; tribe or clan; lineage
5.
a criminal syndicate under a single leader
a Mafia family
6.
a commune1 (sense 5) living in one household, esp. under one head
7.
a group of things having a common source or similar features
; specif.,
a. Biology
a major category in the classification of animals, plants, etc., ranking above a genus and below an order: it can include one genus or many similar genera:the Latinized family names are capitalized but not italicized (Ex.: Felidae, cats)
b. Chemistry
a group of chemical elements having similar properties, forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table
c. Ecology
a community composed of organisms of the same species
d. Linguistics
a parent language and all the languages and dialects descended from it
e. Ancient Mathematics
a set of curves, functions, or other entities with some shared property
adjective
8.
of or for a family
a family picnic, the family car
9.
characteristic of or suitable for a family, esp. one regarded as traditional or typical; wholesome, middle-class, etc.
family entertainment, family values
Idioms:
in a family way
Word origin
ME familie < L familia, household establishment, akin to famulus, servant < ? IE *dhe-mo-, house (< base *dhē-: see do1) > Sans dhāman, household
COBUILD Collocations
family
average family
feed a family
foster family
growing family
large family
loving family
modern family
musical family
raise family
refugee family
visit family
young family
Examples of 'family' in a sentence
family
You are potentially leaving behind your family who love you.
The Sun (2017)
In my family we used to simply recycle unwanted gifts.
The Sun (2016)
My elder daughter moved into the family house.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Other advice includes not going into business with family and not letting an argument rage on.
The Sun (2017)
Money is mainly the means to provide security for my wife and family.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Would they give one up to house a refugee family?
The Sun (2016)
Successive monarchs and other members of the royal family have played crucial political roles in our past.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your place in a friendship or family group is getting stronger - giving more and taking more.
The Sun (2016)
Oh and bring your wife and family too.
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
His family became used to joining him in remote locations.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was devoted to her pupils who became her much extended family.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They simply do much better in family groups.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This bond can lead to a big family and business.
The Sun (2012)
They want to stop young people and families coming.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The life of this house and family has gone.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It has been cared for by the same family for a century.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
When you are born into the royal family you have incredible privilege and wealth.
The Sun (2013)
You will see that it is not wasted time but rather that it keeps the family together.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They remain hopeful that one day they will be a family of five again.
The Sun (2014)
There is less emphasis upon maintaining a particular family style and more openness to diversity.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
There are vague promises that money raised from the sale of the family home will be protected.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is an overwhelming tragedy for her and her husband and their family.
The Sun (2006)
Nowadays most people would not stand up for their own families if it meant losing money.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It also gives support to parents and extended family.
The Sun (2014)
There is space for a large family or group of friends to spread out.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His family would be moved to a safe house and given new identities after the cases were over.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
And it is a young family.
The Sun (2015)
He came to me when he was four because his family couldn't look after him.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The wife 's family suggested that such a term amounted to weak justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some family cars use 40 per cent more fuel than quoted.
The Sun (2015)
That might be a different brand or the shop's own brand for example but no one in the family can taste any difference.
The Sun (2010)
Quotations
The family - that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escapeDodie SmithDear Octopus
All happy families are alike, but every unhappy one is unhappy in its own wayLeo TolstoyAnna Karenina
Blood is thicker than water
In other languages
family
British English: family /ˈfæmɪlɪ; ˈfæmlɪ/ NOUN
A family is a group of people who are related to each other, especially parents and their children.
...a family of five.
American English: family
Arabic: عائِلَة
Brazilian Portuguese: família
Chinese: 家庭
Croatian: obitelj
Czech: rodina
Danish: familie
Dutch: gezin
European Spanish: familia
Finnish: perhe
French: famille
German: Familie
Greek: οικογένεια
Italian: famiglia
Japanese: 家族
Korean: 가족
Norwegian: familie
Polish: rodzina
European Portuguese: família
Romanian: familie
Russian: семья
Latin American Spanish: familia
Swedish: familj
Thai: ครอบครัว
Turkish: aile
Ukrainian: сім'я
Vietnamese: gia đình
All related terms of 'family'
arum family
the plant family Araceae, characterized by herbaceous plants having numerous tiny flowers on a fleshy spike above or sheathed by a large spathe , and including the anthurium , calla lily , jack-in-the-pulpit, and philodendron
family car
a car suitable for a family
family farm
A farm is an area of land, together with the buildings on it, that is used for growing crops or raising animals, usually in order to sell them.
family firm
→ another name for family business
family life
life with one's family; the part of one's life concerned with one's family
family man
A family man is a man who is very fond of his partner and children and likes to spend a lot of time with them.
family men
a man who has a partner and children, esp one who is devoted to his family
family name
Your family name is your surname.
family pet
A pet is an animal that you keep in your home to give you company and pleasure .
family room
a room used by a family for relaxation , watching TV etc
family tree
A family tree is a chart that shows all the people in a family over many generations and their relationship to one another.
family unit
a social group traditionally consisting of parents and children
family way
→ in the family way
Holy Family
→ the Holy Family
host family
a family which provides board and lodging to students , usually for a fee
lily family
the large plant family Liliaceae, characterized by chiefly herbaceous plants growing from bulbs , corms , rhizomes , or tubers , having narrow, parallel-veined, usually basal leaves, often showy flowers, and fruit in the form of a berry or capsule , and including the aloe , asparagus , aspidistra , hyacinth , numerous species of lily , lily of the valley , trillium , and tulip
mint family
the large plant family Labiatae (or Lamiaceae), characterized by aromatic herbaceous plants having square stems, simple leaves, clusters of two-lipped flowers, and fruit in the form of small nutlets, and including basil , bee balm , catnip, coleus , lavender , marjoram , oregano, peppermint , rosemary , sage , spearmint, and thyme
palm family
the plant family Palmae (or Arecaceae; formerly, Palmaceae), characterized by chiefly tropical evergreen trees or shrubs having large compound leaves in featherlike or fanlike fronds , large clusters of small flowers, and fleshy or dry fruit, and including the palmettos, ornamental palms , and palms that are the source of carnauba wax , coconuts , dates , raffia , rattan , sago , and various oils
pro-family
that favors or benefits families
rose family
the plant family Rosaceae, characterized by trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants having compound or simple leaves with stipules , flowers typically with five sepals and five petals , and fruit in a variety of forms, many of which are fleshy and edible, and including the almond , apple , apricot , blackberry , cherry , cinquefoil , hawthorn , peach , pear , plum , raspberry , rose, spirea, and strawberry
balsam family
the plant family Balsaminaceae, typified by succulent stems, alternate , opposite, or whorled simple leaves, and irregular solitary or clustered flowers, including the balsam and jewelweed
bombax family
the plant family Bombacaceae, typified by tropical deciduous trees having palmate leaves, large and often showy solitary or clustered flowers, and dry fruit with a woolly pulp , and including the baobab and silk-cotton tree
borage family
the plant family Boraginaceae, typified by herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees having simple, alternate , hairy leaves and usually blue, five-lobed flowers in a cluster that uncoils as they bloom , including borage , bugloss , and forget-me-not
county family
an old family that has lived in a particular county for several generations
family album
an album containing pictures of relatives
family Bible
a large Bible used for family worship in which births , marriages , and deaths are recorded
family circle
members of a family regarded as a closed group
family court
a court that hears cases involving families and children
family credit
(formerly, in Britain) a means-tested allowance paid to low-earning families with one or more dependent children and one or both parents in work: replaced by Working Families' Tax Credit in 1999
family doctor
A family doctor is a doctor who does not specialize in any particular area of medicine , but who has a medical practice in which he or she treats all types of illness .
family friend
a person who has friendly relations with a whole family
family hotel
a hotel owned by a family in which family members work
family jewels
a man's genitals
family leave
temporary leave from work, granted to an employee as to care for a newborn , sick family member, etc.
family-minded
devoted to one's family
family photo
A photo is the same as a → photograph .
family secret
A secret is a fact that is known by only a small number of people, and is not told to anyone else.
family style
a way of serving food, as in boardinghouses and some restaurants , in which the people at the table help themselves from large dishes passed around from hand to hand
family values
a political and social view of high moral standards as typical of a traditional family unit
first family
a family considered to have prestige because of descent , social status , etc.
foster family
A family is a group of people who are related to each other, especially parents and their children.
ginger family
the plant family Zingiberaceae, characterized by tropical, often aromatic herbaceous plants having rhizomes , long sheathing leaves, and clusters of tubular flowers, and including cardamon, ginger , and turmeric
gourd family
the plant family Cucurbitaceae, characterized by tendril-bearing vines , either trailing or climbing and having alternate , palmately lobed leaves, often large yellow or greenish flowers, and many-seeded, fleshy fruit with a hard rind , and including the cucumber , gourd , melon , pumpkin , and squash
grass family
the large plant family Gramineae (or Poaceae), characterized by mostly herbaceous but sometimes woody plants with hollow and jointed stems, narrow sheathing leaves, petalless flowers borne in spikelets , and fruit in the form of seedlike grain, and including bamboo , sugar cane , numerous grasses, and cereal grains such as barley , corn , oats , rice , rye , and wheat
happy family
→ another name for grey-crowned babbler
heath family
the plant family Ericaceae, characterized by evergreen or deciduous shrubs, trees, and woody plants growing in acid soil and having simple leaves, often showy flowers either solitary or in clusters, and fruit in the form of a berry or capsule , and including the azalea , blueberry , cranberry , heather , madrone, mountain laurel , rhododendron , and trailing arbutus
joint family
a type of extended family composed of parents , their children, and the children's spouses and offspring in one household
large family
A family is a group of people who are related to each other, especially parents and their children.
laurel family
the plant family Lauraceae, characterized by evergreen or deciduous trees having simple, leathery leaves, aromatic bark and foliage , clusters of small green or yellow flowers, and fruit in the form of a berry or drupe , and including the avocado , bay, laurels of the genera Laurus and Umbellularia , sassafras , spicebush ( Lindera benzoin ), and the trees that yield camphor and cinnamon
legume family
the large plant family Leguminosae (or Fabaceae), typified by herbaceous plants, shrubs, trees, and vines having usually compound leaves, clusters of irregular, keeled flowers, and fruit in the form of a pod splitting along both sides, and including beans, peas , acacia , alfalfa, clover , indigo , lentil , mesquite , mimosa , and peanut
Chinese translation of 'family'
family
(ˈfæmɪlɪ)
n(c)
(= relations) 家庭 (jiātíng) (个(個), gè)
⇒ the Adams Family亚当斯一家 (Yàdāngsī yī jiā)
(= children) 孩子 (háizi) (个(個), gè)
⇒ couples with large families有很多孩子的夫妇们 (yǒu hěn duō háizi de fūfùmen)
(= ancestors) 祖先 (zǔxiān)
⇒ Her family came to Los Angeles at the turn of the century.她的祖先在世纪初来到洛杉矶。 (Tā de zǔxiān zài shìjìchū láidào Luòshānjī.)
cpd
[members, home, life, business]家庭 (jiātíng)
All related terms of 'family'
family doctor
家庭医(醫)生 jiātíng yīshēng [ 名 míng ]
a family feud
家族世仇 jiāzú shìchóu
family gathering
家庭聚会(會) jiātíng jùhuì [ 次 cì ]
family planning
计(計)划(劃)生育 jìhuà shēngyù
family background
家庭出身 jiātíng chūshēn
the royal family
王室 wángshì
family planning clinic
计(計)划(劃)生育诊(診)所 jìhuà shēngyù zhěnsuǒ
it runs in the family
这(這)是家族遗(遺)传(傳) zhè shì jiāzú yíchuán
the people/family next door
隔壁的人/人家 gébì de rén/rénjiā
he's a credit to his family
他是他家庭的骄(驕)傲 tā shì tā jiātíng de jiāo'ào
1 (noun)
Definition
one's wife or husband and one's children
His family are completely behind him, whatever he decides.
Synonyms
relations
people
children
issue
He died without issue in 1946.
relatives
household
growing up in a male-only household
folk (informal)
I've been avoiding my folks lately.
offspring
descendants
brood
Her parents took their rambunctious brood to the country most weekends.
kin
I'm going to live with my husband's kin.
nuclear family
progeny
They set aside funds to ensure the welfare of their progeny.
kindred
She has reconnected with her kindred.
next of kin
kinsmen
ménage
kith and kin
your nearest and dearest
kinsfolk
your own flesh and blood
The kid was his own flesh and blood.
ainga (New Zealand)
cuzzies or cuzzie-bros (New Zealand)
rellies (Australian, slang)
2 (noun)
Definition
one's children
Are you going to have a family?
Synonyms
children
kids (informal)
offspring
Characteristics are often passed from parents to offspring.
little ones
munchkins (informal, mainly US)
littlies (Australian, informal)
3 (noun)
Definition
a group descended from a common ancestor
Her family came to Los Angeles at the turn of the century.
Synonyms
ancestors
forebears
parentage
She is a Londoner of mixed English and Jamaican parentage.
forefathers
house
the Saudi Royal House
line
We were part of a long line of artists.
race
We welcome students of all races, faiths and nationalities.
blood
He was of noble blood, and an officer.
birth
people of humble birth
strain
a particularly beautiful strain of Swiss pansies
tribe
three hundred members of the Xhosa tribe
sept
clan
A clash had taken place between rival clans.
descent
All the contributors were of foreign descent.
dynasty
pedigree
a countess of impeccable pedigree
extraction
a young Brazilian of German extraction
ancestry
They can trace their ancestry back to the seventeenth century.
lineage
They can trace their lineage back to the 18th century.
genealogy
He had sat and repeated his family's genealogy to her.
line of descent
stemma
stirps
4 (noun)
Definition
any group of related objects or beings
foods in the cabbage family, such as Brussels sprouts
Synonyms
species
There are several thousand species of trees here.
group
The recipes are divided into groups according to their main ingredients.
class
a new class of personal computer
system
order
the order of insects Coleoptera, better known as beetles
kind
Lewis and his kind are the best sort of people.
network
genre
his love of films and novels in the horror genre
classification
several different classifications of vehicles
subdivision
subclass
related words
related adjectivefamilial
Usage note
Some careful writers insist that a singular verb should always be used with collective nouns such as government, team, family, committee, and class, for example: the class is doing a project on Vikings; the company is mounting a big sales campaign. In British usage, however, a plural verb is often used with a collective noun, especially where the emphasis is on a collection of individual objects or people rather than a group regarded as a unit: the family are all on holiday. The most important thing to remember is never to treat the same collective noun as both singular and plural in the same sentence: the family is well and sends its best wishes or the family are well and send their best wishes, but not the family is well and send their best wishes.
Quotations
The family - that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape [Dodie Smith – Dear Octopus]All happy families are alike, but every unhappy one is unhappy in its own way [Leo Tolstoy – Anna Karenina]
proverb
Blood is thicker than water
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ancestry
Definition
family descent
They can trace their ancestry back to the seventeenth century.
Synonyms
origin,
house,
family,
line,
race,
stock,
blood,
ancestors,
descent,
pedigree,
extraction,
lineage,
forebears,
antecedents,
parentage,
forefathers,
genealogy,
derivation,
progenitors
in the sense of birth
Definition
ancestry
people of humble birth
Synonyms
ancestry,
line,
race,
stock,
blood,
background,
breeding,
strain,
descent,
pedigree,
extraction,
lineage,
forebears,
parentage,
genealogy,
derivation
in the sense of blood
Definition
relationship through being of the same family, race, or kind