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

Her uncle, Khang Le, shared an update from her mother, Le Le, and father, Danny Le, on Facebook on Monday, May 11, alongside a photo of Danh awake and smiling. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

His grandfather, Adan Cárdenas, was president of the country from 1883 to 1887 and is recognized for introducing baseball to Nicaragua in the late 19th century while his uncle, Adolfo, played on the first national team. —Ed Guzman, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

Brewster also moonlighted with a part-time job at his uncle Robert’s showroom, which specialized in couture. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 11 May 2026

Budge’s uncle, Fred Meier, played center and linebacker in Nebraska’s first postseason contest, the 1941 Rose Bowl. —Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 11 May 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