Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

family

/ˈfæːm(ə)li/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.66 in modern English

Syllables
fa-mi-ly
IPA
/ˈfæːm(ə)li/
14
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A group of people who are closely related to one another (by blood, marriage or adoption); kin; in particular, a set of parents and their children; an immediate family.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A group of people who are closely related to one another (by blood, marriage or adoption); kin; in particular, a set of parents and their children; an immediate family.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An extended family: a group of people who are related to one another by blood or marriage.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A nuclear family: a mother and father who are married and cohabiting and their child or children.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Members of one's family collectively.

Uncountable

noun

A (close-knit) group of people related by blood, friendship, marriage, law, or custom, especially if they live or work together.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A (close-knit) group of people related by blood, friendship, marriage, law, or custom, especially if they live or work together.

Slang; Uncountable

noun

Lineage, especially honorable or noble lineage.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

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

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈfæːm(ə)li/
  • British English: /ˈfæm(ɪ)li/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce family?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈfæːm(ə)li/.
What does family mean?
A group of people who are closely related to one another (by blood, marriage or adoption); kin; in particular, a set of parents and their children; an immediate family.
Where does family come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce family

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “family”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈfæːm(ə)li/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “family”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “family” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.