brother
brother
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "brother" is /ˈbrʌðər/.
ˈbrʌ-:
/b/: Voiced bilabial plosive
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant
/ʌ/: Near-open central unrounded vowel (as in "cup")
-ðər:
/ð/: Voiced dental fricative (as in "this")
/ər/: R-colored vowel (schwa + r sound)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: brother
Plural Noun: brothers
Possessive Singular Noun: brother's
Possessive Plural Noun: brothers'
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A male sibling: A male person who shares one or both parents with another person.
Synonyms: kin, sibling, kinsman
Antonyms: sister (in the context of gender), stranger (in the context of familial relation)
A male fellow member of a group, organization, or community: A term used to address or refer to a male individual who shares a common bond, belief, or affiliation with others.
Synonyms: comrade, fellow, associate, peer, mate
Antonyms: outsider, opponent, rival
A male friend or close companion, often used affectionately: An informal term of endearment or familiarity for a male who is considered to be like family due to a strong bond of friendship or loyalty.
Synonyms: pal, buddy, chum, comrade
Antonyms: enemy, foe, adversary
A member of a male religious order: A man who has taken vows and dedicated his life to a religious order, typically within Christianity, often living in a monastery.
Synonyms: monk, friar, cleric
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific religious role, as it's a defined position)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Of course he loves me, he's my brother," Harry Potter thought, even as Ron grumbled about another of Fred and George's pranks. (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, fictional example consistent with the series' tone)
"We shall, my brother, be free one day," intoned the leader, his voice echoing in the cavernous hall. (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, likely referring to fellow members of a clandestine group, a common interpretation of fraternal language in such works)
Newspapers:
"The two brothers, both prominent figures in the local business community, announced a joint venture yesterday that promises to boost regional employment." (The Daily Nation)
"In a moving tribute, the victim's older brother spoke about his sibling's unwavering spirit and kindness." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Reflecting on the recent election, many commentators have called for a renewed sense of civic duty, emphasizing the idea that we are all brothers and sisters in this shared society, regardless of political affiliation." (The Guardian Online, Op-Ed)
"Gaming communities often foster strong bonds, where players refer to each other as 'my brother' or 'sisters in arms,' reflecting the camaraderie forged through shared challenges and victories." (IGN.com, Feature Article)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "We were just kids, man, but he was always there for me. My brother." (Dialogue from a fictional drama film, reminiscent of many such narratives)
Television Series: (A character in a crime drama, upon seeing a fellow detective in a tough situation) "You alright, brother? We got your back." (Fictional dialogue, common in shows depicting strong team bonds)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Oh, brother, where art thou now? The road is long and I'm alone." (Lyrics from a folk song, conveying a sense of longing or separation from a close male figure)
Podcasts: "On today's episode, we're joined by our good friend and brother in comedy, Mark Johnson, to discuss his latest stand-up special." (From a comedy podcast, demonstrating informal and affectionate use)
Video Games: (Character dialogue in a fantasy RPG, addressing a fellow adventurer) "Fear not, brother, our blades will protect you!" (Fictional dialogue, often used to establish camaraderie among player characters or NPCs)
General Public Discourse:
(Overheard in a casual conversation between two friends): "Hey, brother, long time no see! How've you been?"
(A speaker at a community rally): "We must stand together, my brothers and sisters, to fight for justice and equality for all!"
(A coach to his team after a tough game): "Hold your heads high, brothers. We played with heart, and that's what matters."
10 Famous Quotes Using Brother
"Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9, The Bible)
"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" (Though not using "brother," this famous quote by Martin Luther King Jr. strongly implies a universal brotherhood and responsibility. It is often associated with the concept of being a "brother's keeper.")
"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." (Charles Dickens, a quote that speaks to the shared human experience and support, akin to the bond of a brother)
"We came into the world like brothers; and now let's go hand in hand, not one before another." (William Shakespeare, King Lear)
"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." (Martin Luther King Jr., echoing themes of unity and overcoming division, which resonate with the idea of brotherhood)
"He is my brother, not just by blood, but by bond." (A common metaphorical saying often attributed to various sources, emphasizing chosen family or strong friendship)
"I may not be my brother's keeper, but I am my brother's brother." (Often attributed to various authors, expressing a sense of inherent connection and responsibility)
"Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!" (Robert Burns, a quote that highlights the antithesis of brotherhood)
"What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life—to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?" (George Eliot, while not using "brother," this powerfully describes a profound bond often found between brothers)
"Help your brother's boat across, and your own will reach the shore." (Hindu Proverb)
Etymology
The word "brother" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
Imagine a very, very old language that was spoken by people across a huge area, from parts of Europe all the way to India. This ancient language is called Proto-Indo-European (PIE). The original form of "brother" in PIE was *bʰréh₂tēr.
Over time, as groups of people moved and their languages changed, this single PIE word evolved into many different words in different language families.
The English word "brother" came down through the Germanic family of languages. From PIE *bʰréh₂tēr, it became *brōþēr in Proto-Germanic. This is the ancestor of words like German "Bruder," Dutch "broer," and the Old English word that eventually became our "brother."
In Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066), the word was brōþor. Its first known meaning was exactly what you'd expect: a male person who shares the same parents (or at least one parent) with another person. It also quickly developed broader meanings, like referring to a fellow member of a guild or a religious order, similar to how we use it today.
It's pretty amazing to think that when you say "brother," you're using a word that has kept its core meaning for thousands of years and is related to similar words in languages as diverse as Latin ("frater"), Greek ("phratér"), and Sanskrit ("bhrátár-")!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Brother
Big Brother: Referring to an omnipresent, watchful authority, often oppressive.
Brother in arms: A close comrade, especially in a military context or during a shared struggle.
My brother from another mother: An affectionate way to refer to a very close friend who is not a biological relative.
Brotherhood of man: The concept that all humans should live together like brothers, in peace and unity.
Brother, can you spare a dime?: A classic line from a song, often used to refer to a plea for help or charity, especially during hard times.
To be like brothers: To have a very close, fraternal bond.
Blood brother: Someone with whom a bond as strong as family has been formed, sometimes ritually.
For my brother's sake: For the benefit or on behalf of a brother (literal or metaphorical).
Brother of the cloth: A term for a fellow clergyman or religious figure.
Fraternal order: A society or organization whose members are united by common interests or beliefs, like a brotherhood.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of brother from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
