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family

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noun British English pronunciation: family /ˈfæm(ə)li/ 
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singularfamily
pluralfamilies
Other entries for this word
  1. 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 verb

    A family with two children live next door.

    Is the Watson family going to be there?

    He grew up in a large working-class family.

    single-parent/two-parent family:

    Single-parent families are increasingly common.

    a family of four/five etc:

    The tent is big enough for a family of six.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of family
    1. 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 verb

      Does your family have any history of heart disease?

      She did not want the property to go to anyone outside the family.

      be in someone's/the family (=belong to that family):

      The boatyard had been in his family for four generations.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of family
    2. b.
      [uncountable] people who are related to you: can be followed by a singular or plural verb

      We spent the holiday period visiting family in Scotland.

      We ought to help him – after all, he is family.

      friends and family/family and friends:

      We had Christmas lunch in the company of family and friends.

      one of the family:

      He's like one of the family.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of family
  2. 2
    [countable] children in a family: can be followed by a singular or plural verb

    The soldier had a wife and family.

    start/have a family (=have children):

    They want to get married and start a family.

    bring up/raise a family:

    It's difficult raising a family on one salary.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of family

phrase

This is the British English definition of family. View American English definition of family.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for family.

 

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