Frat Comes From the Latin Word for Brother
A frat is an American college fraternity. The word goes back to the Latin for brother.
A frat is a fraternity, a male social society at an American university. The root is Latin *frater*, a brother, which also gives *fraternise*, *fraternal* and *friar* — the last through French, since a friar addressed his fellows as brothers. American fraternities are named with Greek letters, a tradition begun by Phi Beta Kappa in 1776, which is why they are collectively called Greek life despite having nothing to do with Greece.
- A college fraternity. *A frat house.*
- Fraternity — the full word. *A fraternity.*
- Fraternal — brotherly. *Fraternal.*
- Friar — the same root. *A friar.*
- Latin — *frater*, a brother. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | frat | A frat. |
| Plural | frats | Frats. |
| Full form | fraternity | A fraternity. |
| Adjective | fraternal | Fraternal. |
| Latin | frater | A brother. |
- He joined a frat in his first year.University.
- Fraternal means brotherly.Related.
- Frater means brother.Etymology.
The frater family
- Fraternity — a brotherhood
- Fraternise — to associate as brothers
- Friar — a member of a religious brotherhood
- Fratricide — the killing of a brother
- Brother itself is the native English cousin of the same root
Short for *fraternity*, from Latin *fraternitas*, from *frater*, a brother.
Why are fraternities called Greek life?
Because they are named with Greek letters, a practice begun by Phi Beta Kappa in 1776. The connection to Greece ends there.
Is friar related to fraternity?
Yes. Both come from Latin frater, a brother. A friar belonged to a religious brotherhood.