uncle

noun

un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl 

1

a

: the brother of one's father or mother

b

: the husband of one's aunt or uncle

2

: one who helps, advises, or encourages

3

—used as a cry of surrender

was forced to cry/say uncle [=was forced to surrender]

4

Uncle : uncle sam

Examples of uncle in a Sentence

I have three uncles and two aunts.

My Uncle David is visiting next week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Luwi’s uncle Koiye used to take brain tissue and internal organs to a colonial aid post with an airstrip. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Ghamira’s uncle, Issam Ghamira, said in a video interview with state news agency SANA that the family had told the police chief in al-Haffah that his nephew had hemophilia and warned against hitting him. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Baseball is one of those sports that relies on an older father, brother, grandfather or uncle to play catch with you, toss some ground balls, pitches or pop-ups. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

The triplets, Ana Maria, Sofia and Isabella Saavedra Caycedo; their father Jair Saavedra; their mother Vicky Caycedo and their uncle Diego Caycedo would all be pulled from the debris in the hours and days that followed. — Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin avunculus mother's brother; akin to Old English ēam uncle, Welsh ewythr, Latin avus grandfather

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing uncle

• and Bob's your uncle
• cry/say uncle
• Dutch uncle
• great-uncle
• say uncle
• uncle-in-law

Rhymes for uncle

• carbuncle
• peduncle
• siphuncle

Kids Definition

uncle

noun

un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl 

1

: the brother of one's father or mother

2

: the husband of one's aunt or uncle