uncle

noun

un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl How to pronounce uncle (audio)
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
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.
Alongside his uncle, first-year Cathedral coach Vincent Jefferson and his father, offensive coordinator Jabari Jefferson, Jaden continued his sophomore stardom Friday night. Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 That was the year that my uncle, catering director at Chicago’s Ritz-Carlton, took charge of the holiday festivities for a decades-long streak interrupted only by his brief (and somewhat inconvenient for the rest of the family) move to California. Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 1 Nov. 2024 One of them was his uncle, saying that his wife and children were dead. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024 Tommy is another member of Young Avengers in the comics, going by the name Speed, given his speedster abilities that are similar to his uncle, Pietro. Nick Romano, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncle 

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near uncle

Cite this Entry

“Uncle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncle. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncle

noun
un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl How to pronounce uncle (audio)
1
: the brother of one's father or mother
2
: the husband of one's aunt or uncle

More from Merriam-Webster on uncle

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