big-sisterly

comparative more big-sisterly · superlative most big-sisterly

1. Of or characteristic of older sisters.

   Coordinate term: big-brotherly

   2 more examples

   Some were sweet and big-sisterly, good shoulders to cry on; others eternal cheerleaders, all freckles and bobby sox; still others were serious campus leaders with their blond hair in a severe twist.

   1988, Edmund White, chapter 4, in The Beautiful Room is Empty, New York: Vintage International, published 1994

   When Nirvana toured with us in 1991 before Nevermind broke, no one in Europe knew who they were. They were often the first band onstage at festivals, playing amazing shows filmed by Dave Markey, the filmmaker who came along with us to document the tour that later became the film 1991: The Year Punk Broke. The movie had a lot of humorous moments of over-the-top self-indulgence—it was basically a spoof of rockumentaries. Kurt was always funny and fun to be around, and seemed to soak up any kind of personal attention. I felt very big-sisterly, almost maternal, whenever the two of us were together, and it shows in that film.

   2015, Kim Gordon, chapter 30, in Carrie Thornton, editor, Girl in a Band, New York: Dey st., →ISBN, page 179

comparative more big-sisterly · superlative most big-sisterly

1. In the manner of an older sister.

   By turns she could be goofy and serious, playful and big-sisterly stern.

   2015, Guy Vanderhaeghe, “Koenig & Company”, in Daddy Lenin and Other Stories, McClelland & Stewart