A1noun 1K

Family

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈfæməli/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈfæməli/"]/

Meaning of Family

a group consisting of one or two parents and their children

In simple words: A group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

Family in a sentence

• My family always gathers for dinner on Sundays.
• The family tree shows all the members of our extended family.
• In many cultures, family is the most important social unit.

How to use Family

Used in both formal and informal contexts. It can refer to immediate family (like parents and siblings) or extended family (like aunts, uncles, and cousins). Avoid using in overly formal situations, such as academic writing, where you might prefer 'relatives' or 'kin.'

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'fam' for short – like your close crew.

Related words

Collocations with Family

• big
• large
• entire
• belong to
• be one of
• be part of
• background
• history
• tradition
• in a/​the family
• within a/​the family
• family and friends
• a member of a family
• big
• large
• entire
• belong to
• be one of
• be part of
• background
• history
• tradition
• in a/​the family
• within a/​the family
• family and friends
• a member of a family
• big
• large
• entire
• belong to
• be one of
• be part of
• background
• history
• tradition
• in a/​the family
• within a/​the family
• family and friends
• a member of a family
• large
• small
• young
• have
• start
• bring up
• size
• man

Synonyms for Family

• relatives
• kin
• clan
• tribe

Opposites of Family

• individual
• stranger

Common mistakes with Family

• Confused with 'familial' which is more formal and specific.
• Using 'family' as a plural noun (e.g. 'families' instead of 'family members').
• Mixing up 'family' with 'household,' which has a different social structure context.

Frequently asked questions about Family

What does Family mean?

A group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

What is the definition of Family?

a group consisting of one or two parents and their children

How do you use Family in a sentence?

My family always gathers for dinner on Sundays.

Can you give another example of Family?

The family tree shows all the members of our extended family.

What are synonyms for Family?

Common alternatives include relatives, kin, clan, tribe.

What is the opposite of Family?

Opposite meanings include individual, stranger.

What words go with Family?

It commonly pairs with big, large, entire, belong to, be one of, be part of, background, history, tradition, in a/​the family, within a/​the family, family and friends, a member of a family, big, large, entire, belong to, be one of, be part of, background, history, tradition, in a/​the family, within a/​the family, family and friends, a member of a family, big, large, entire, belong to, be one of, be part of, background, history, tradition, in a/​the family, within a/​the family, family and friends, a member of a family, large, small, young, have, start, bring up, size, man.

What are common mistakes when using Family?

Confused with 'familial' which is more formal and specific. Using 'family' as a plural noun (e.g. 'families' instead of 'family members'). Mixing up 'family' with 'household,' which has a different social structure context.

How do you pronounce Family?

US: /["/ˈfæməli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈfæməli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Family?

Used in both formal and informal contexts. It can refer to immediate family (like parents and siblings) or extended family (like aunts, uncles, and cousins). Avoid using in overly formal situations, such as academic writing, where you might prefer 'relatives' or 'kin.'

What CEFR level is Family?

"Family" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.