- family
- I UK [ˈfæm(ə)lɪ] / US
noun
Word forms "family":
singular family plural families
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1) [countable] a group of people who live together and are related to one another, usually consisting of parents and children: can be followed by a singular or plural verbA family with two children live next door.
Is the Watson family going to be there?
single-parent/two-parent family:He grew up in a large working-class family.
a family of four/five etc:Single-parent families are increasingly common.
The tent is big enough for a family of six.
a) [countable] a group of people who are all related to one another, including dead members of the group: can be followed by a singular or plural verbDoes your family have any history of heart disease?
be in someone's/the family (= belong to that family):She did not want the property to go to anyone outside the family.
The boatyard had been in his family for four generations.
b) [uncountable] people who are related to you: can be followed by a singular or plural verbWe spent the holiday period visiting family in Scotland.
friends and family/family and friends:We ought to help him – after all, he is family.
one of the family:We had Christmas lunch in the company of family and friends.
He's like one of the family.
2) [countable] children in a family: can be followed by a singular or plural verbstart/have a family (= have children):The soldier had a wife and family.
bring up/raise a family:They want to get married and start a family.
It's difficult raising a family on one salary.
3) [countable] biology a group of animals or plants that are related. A family has fewer members than an order or classKidney beans belong to the bean family.
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II UK [ˈfæm(ə)lɪ] / US adjective [only before noun]1) relating to families, or typical of familiesQuarrels are a normal part of family life.
2) suitable for a family with childrena three-bedroom family home with a garden
a family film
a family-size packet of cornflakes
English dictionary. 2014.
