What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
parental
Example
The school provides parental support to help students succeed. [parental: adjective]
Example
Parental love is unconditional and selfless. [parental: adjective]
paternal
Example
He has a strong paternal instinct and always puts his family first. [paternal: adjective]
Example
My paternal grandfather fought in World War II. [paternal: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Parental is more common than paternal in everyday language as it is a more versatile term that can be used in various contexts. Paternal is less common and used in more specific or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between parental and paternal?
Paternal is generally considered more formal than parental due to its specific and technical usage. Parental is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
