grandmotherly

comparative more grandmotherly · superlative most grandmotherly

1. Of or characteristic of grandmothers.

   “Mr. Norton, your head!” he cried, a strange grandmotherly concern in his voice.

   1952, Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, Penguin Books (2014), page 103

2. Resembling a grandmother.

   Then grandmotherly, trust-inspiring 63-year-old Gertrude Pruett stopped sending out the lovely checks and it became harder and harder to get in touch with her or her son Harold.

   2025, Carter Wilson, Martha's Insatiable Desires, the producer, the actress, and The fabulous French Impressionists

   1 more example

   One of the maids introduced me to Miss Clifford, the housekeeper, a grandmotherly yet somehow youthful woman who offered me a cup of tea I was too nervous to accept. She gave it to me anyway, calling me “love.”

   2022, Hernan Diaz, Trust, Picador (2023), page 256