For near-native learners: precise, literary vocabulary for kinship, social bonds, and relational dynamics found in serious prose and criticism.
Free Social & Relationships vocabulary flashcards at the C2 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and use these words precisely, including nuance most learners miss.
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lineage
the line of ancestors going back through a family across many generations
kinship
a close bond felt between people connected by family ties and shared ancestry
progeny
the children and descendants belonging to a particular family line
matriarch
the senior woman who leads a family, tribe, and its wider social group
patriarch
the senior man who leads a family, tribe, and its wider social group
sibling
the general term for a child of the same parents as you, regardless of gender
paramour
a person's lover, especially one kept hidden in a scandalous relationship
confidant
a person you trust enough to share your most private thoughts with
nepotism
the practice of giving relatives jobs and advantages instead of choosing purely on merit
cronyism
the practice of giving friends favours and positions instead of choosing qualified people
coterie
a small, close-knit group of people who share the same interests and social circle
rift
a serious break in friendly relations between people who were once close
rapprochement
the renewal of friendly relations between people who had grown distant from each other
camaraderie
a feeling of mutual trust and friendship shared among a group of people
conviviality
a friendly, lively, and cheerful atmosphere among people spending time together
discord
lasting tension and disagreement that builds up among members of a close group
forebear
an ancestor, especially one from several generations back
ingratiate
to deliberately try to win someone's favour and approval through flattery and effort
ostracize
to deliberately exclude someone from a group and its wider community
fraternize
to associate with someone in a friendly way, especially when it is discouraged
cohabit
to live together in the same home as a couple without being married
confide
to tell someone a private, secret matter while trusting them not to share it
dote
to show great and often excessive love and attention toward someone
rebuke
to criticise someone sharply and directly for something they did wrong
placate
to make someone feel calmer and less hostile through a conciliatory gesture
rekindle
to bring new life and warmth back into a relationship that had faded
avuncular
kind, friendly, and mildly protective in the way an uncle might be
filial
relating to the duty and affection that children owe to a parent
fraternal
relating to the close, brotherly affection shared between people
congenial
pleasant, friendly, and easy to spend time with
gregarious
enjoying the company of others and seeking out social situations
clannish
tending to stay loyal only to one's own close group and excluding outsiders
obsequious
excessively eager to please and flatter someone, especially a person in authority
amicable
done in a friendly way, calmly and without open hostility between the people involved
unrequited
describing love and affection that is not returned by the other person