families - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
families Word Meanings
- a group of related individuals
- a set of parents and their children
- a category of things with common characteristics
families Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
families Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈfæm.ɪ.li/
US
/ˈfæm.ɪ.li/
families Word Etymology
Latin 'familia' = household + 'familis' = servant. Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a large, happy household where everyone, even the servants, sits around the table, creating a sense of belonging.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I step toward a family photo on the shelf and adjust it in my hands. I grip the frame and turn it gently, watching faces come into view and recalling how the room fills with names and voices. The pull of memory makes me hold the moment a little longer, and the warmth shifts from a picture to a sense of belonging. In life, the word grows from a single group to the people I keep close, the ones who make a shelter feel like home.
Real Context
Family is a central social concept in English-speaking cultures, but its scope can vary. It can mean your immediate relatives, your extended kin, or even a group of people united by affection or shared circumstances. In addition to people, family can describe sets of objects with common characteristics, for example a family of languages or a family of products. Learners should note that while 'family' is often treated as a singular noun (the family is happy), it can take a plural verb when referring to individual family members (the families are visiting). Understanding these nuances helps you speak more naturally about relationships and categorization.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: 1) family can refer to people and to groups of objects; 2) treat the whole as singular or the members as plural as appropriate; 3) use 'the family' for the group and 'the families' for the members; 4) explore phrases like 'family dinner' and 'family of languages'; 5) use possessives like 'my family's' when talking about ownership; 6) avoid translating 'family' too narrowly from your language.
Common Misconceptions
- Believing family only means your parents and siblings
- Thinking 'family' always takes a plural verb
- Assuming it cannot be used for non-human groups
- Thinking 'family' and 'relative' are interchangeable in every context
- Using 'families' for a single household group
Thinking Differences
In English, family is flexible and can mean relatives, a household, or a metaphorical group; learners often limit it to blood relatives or misread collective vs. plural agreement.
Learning Tips
- Learn core family vocabulary: father, mother, brother, sister, etc.
- Practice common collocations: family dinner, close family, extended family
- Notice when 'family' takes a singular vs plural verb
- Use 'family of' to describe groups with shared traits
- Compare with your language to avoid false friends
- Talk about your family to build natural speaking time
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of the word 'families'?
A.Single entities
B.Groups of related individuals
C.Random collections
D.Geographical locations
Step 2: Usage
Select the sentence that uses the word 'families' correctly.
A.The families attended the festival together.
B.The families game was fun to play.
C.She loves many different families of plants.
D.The families of the ocean are abundant.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'families'?
A.Households
B.Colours
C.Mountains
D.Seasons
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'families'?
A.Neighbors
B.Communities
C.Strangers
D.Groups
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context involving families?
A.During a holiday, a group of people gathered to celebrate together.
B.People often enjoy meals at family gatherings.
C.Children usually play alone in the park.
D.Neighbors frequently help each other with yard work.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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