brother
UK: ˈbrʌðə(r) | US: ˈbrʌðər
n. a male sibling
n. a man who shares a close bond with others (e.g., in friendship or community)
n. a title for a male member of a religious or fraternal organization
The word "brother" traces back to Old English "brōþor," derived from Proto-Germanic *brōþēr, which in turn comes from Proto-Indo-European *bʰréh₂tēr (meaning "male sibling"). This root is shared across many Indo-European languages (e.g., Latin "frater," Sanskrit "bhrātṛ"). The modern spelling preserves the original structure, though the suffix "-ther" no longer carries independent meaning. The word's semantic core—male kinship—has remained stable for millennia.
My younger brother just started school.
The soldiers fought side by side like brothers.
He was ordained as a brother in the monastery.
We stand together as brothers in this struggle.
Brother, can you spare a moment to help?