Family Words: A Complete List of Words

4 min read
Family Words: A Complete List of Words

Families are dynamic, and many people make a family unique. It’s no surprise there are a lot of family words that can be used to describe members.

Here is a complete list that can be used to describe the different people who make a family unique.

Family Words Defined

A traditional family has a father, mother, and children. But we know that most families include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Additionally, many families are non-traditional. This means that there are stepparents, adoptive siblings, and other unique family members who are included in the unit.

family words defined

Family words are any family members who should be defined when talking about the unit. These include adjectives and nouns.

Remember, an adjective is a descriptive word. A noun is a person, place, or thing.

It is important to know these family words because it adds interest and accuracy to writing. If you are writing something about your family, you will want to correctly identify your family members so that the reader understands who you are talking about.

Since families are so unique, there are many words to describe family members. Use this complete family word list as your resource to write about your own family.

Complete Family Word List

Words to Describe WomenWords to Describe MenWords to Describe Children
adoptive motheradoptive fatherchildren
auntbachelorchild
birth motherbridegroomcousin
daughterbrotherdescendant
daughter-in-lawbrother-in-lawfirstborn
bachelorettebrotherhoodfirst cousin
bridedadfirst cousin once removed
ex-wifefraternal twinfoster child
fianceegrampagrandchild
foster mothergrampsgrandchildren
granddaughtergrandfatheridentical twin
grandmagrandpainfancy
grandmothergreat-grandfatherinfant
grannygreat-grandsonjuvenile
great-auntgreat-unclekin
great-granddaughtergroomminor
great-grandmothergrandsonnatal
half-sisterhalf-brotheroffspring
heiressheirorphan
mahusbandquadruplets
maternalnephewquints
mamaMr.quads
Misspapasecond cousin
matriarchpaquintuplets
mompaternalstepchild
mommypatriarchstepchildren
motherpopteenager
mother-in-lawsontoddler
Mrs.son-in-lawtriplets
Ms.stepbrothertwins
nanastepdadyoungster
niecestepfatheryouth
sisterstepson 
sister-in-lawtwin brother 
Mrs.uncle 
Ms.  
nana  
niece  
sister  
sister-in-law  

 

Words to Describe Family UnitsWords to Describe Family History
Words to Describe Culture
adoptive familyadoptionheritage
blended familyancestor multi-racial family
blood relativeclanbi-racial family
care-givergenealogy 
divorcehereditary 
extended familyhistory 
familyinherit 
family treeinheritance 
folkskinfolk 
foster parentkinship 
grandparentlineage 
great-grandparentmaiden name 
in-law  
nuclear family  
parent  
partner  
senior  
sibling  
single-parent  
unit  
spouse  
unmarried parent
  

A Note About Names

complete list of word families

Many families have their own names to describe their family members.

Take, for example, father. This name alone could be transformed into Dad, dada, daddy, pops, papa, pa, or even Faja.

This name will vary from family-to-family, so you might not find the specific name you call your father on our list.

Another approach to family words is the cultural names for family members, specifically when it comes to talking about grandparents. Here is a concise list of different family words from different cultures:

Country of OriginWords for GrandfathersWords for Grandmothers
FrenchGrand-pêreGrand-mère
ItalianNonnoNonna
GermanOpaOma
SpanishAbueloAbuela
PolishDziadekBabcia
GreekPoppoúsGiagiá (Yaya)
PortugueseVovôAvó
IrishSeanathairMhamó
HungarianNagypapaNagymama
SwahiliBabuBibi
DanishBedstefarMormor
JapaneseO jiichanO baachan
RussianDedushkaBabushka
HawaiianTutuTutu
KoreanHal-abeojiHalmeoni
AmericanPapaNana
CreolePawpawMawmaw
FilipinoLoloLola
In addition to names associated with culture, you might also find that you use family words from your
. This is specifically clear with words describing parents, grandparents, and cousins.
family words list in english

Using Descriptive Words for Family

In addition to using different words to describe the people in your family, you will also find that you want to use words to describe your family’s personality.

These words will describe how loving, fun, and paint a picture.

Descriptive Words
brotherly helpmate nest sisterly
childhood home newlywed support
close-knit household nuptial tribe
connection kindred nurture trust
devoted love posterity trustworthy
faithful loyalty related value
flesh and blood marriage relations village
foster mate relative wed
friend matrimony separation wedding
grownup monogamy single wedlock

Conclusion

most common word families

Family words are a great way to talk about your family accurately. When you use the correct words, you can help your reader track and provide valuable insight into your family.

Here are a few things to remember about family words:

  • They are traditionally nouns and adjectives.
  • There are hundreds of words to describe your unique family.
  • Pay attention to the names that your family uses. This is often tied to your family history and culture.
  • Sometimes family names are a reflection of the region where you live.

What words do you use to describe your family? Let us know in the comments below!