aunt

noun

ˈant How to pronounce aunt (audio) ˈänt How to pronounce aunt (audio)
1
: the sister of one's father or mother
2
: the wife of one's uncle or aunt
aunthood
ˈant-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈänt-
noun
auntlike
ˈant-ˌlīk How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈänt-
adjective
auntly adjective

Examples of aunt in a Sentence

He has three aunts and two uncles. This is my Aunt Mary.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Paddington In Peru: Plot, Cast, Run Time Directed by Dougal Wilson, Paddington In Peru follows Paddington (voiced by Ben Wishaw) and the Brown Family going to the bear’s home in the jungles of Peru after Paddington discovers his aunt has gone missing. — Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2025 Cristobal lives with her aunt in Edgewood, a suburb of Seattle. — Joel Rose, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025 But then a few days later, her teenage cousin asked her aunt if his girlfriend could come to the wedding. — Raven Brunner, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 No one wants to risk having to choke down an unseasoned side dish, or wish that your aunt had made the green bean casserole like usual. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aunt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French ante, from Latin amita; akin to Old High German amma mother, nurse, Greek amma nurse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aunt was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing aunt

Rhymes for aunt

See All Rhymes for aunt

Browse Nearby Words

Aunjetitz
aunt
auntie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aunt. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

aunt

noun
ˈant How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈȧnt
1
: the sister of one's father or mother
2
: the wife of one's uncle or aunt

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