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 uncle

4

capitalized : 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

In The Night Stalker Tapes, Ramirez's niece claimed that her uncle and Lioy were going through a divorce at the time of his death and his ashes were sent to her. —Skyler Trepel, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Hill embarked on the project to bring the story of Stewart’s life in sound to the screen after her uncle told her about his cancer diagnosis. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024

In many ways, his strategy mirrors that of his uncle, the great Royce Gracie. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

They had been married there the year before, at the home of his uncle, an investment banker, who urged them to buy a house nearby, and to get professional financial advice. —Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

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
• Dutch uncle
• great-uncle
• say uncle
• uncle-in-law

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