uncle

[uhng-kuhl]

noun

1. a brother of one's father or mother.

2. an aunt's husband.

3. a familiar title or term of address for any elderly man.

4. Slang.,  a pawnbroker.

5. (initial capital letter),  Uncle Sam.

6. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter U.

uncle

/ ˈʌŋkəl /

noun

1. a brother of one's father or mother

2. the husband of one's aunt

3. a term of address sometimes used by children for a male friend of their parents

4. slang,  a pawnbroker

Other Word Forms

• uncleless adjective
• uncleship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncle¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French uncle, Old French oncle, from Latin avunculus “mother's brother,” equivalent to av(us) “mother's father” + -unculus suffix extracted from diminutives of n-stems ( homunculus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncle¹

C13: from Old French oncle, from Latin avunculus; related to Latin avus grandfather

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. say / cry uncle, to concede defeat.

   They ganged up on him in the schoolyard and made him say uncle.

see cry uncle; Dutch uncle.

Example Sentences

If he was the father of Minimalism — or, more accurately, the affable uncle — he presented “In C” as a gift to the world, rather than a plan for action.

From Los Angeles Times

“I kind of refer to him as your favorite odd uncle.”

From Los Angeles Times

"You can see his situation. It's so tragic. The earthquake was deadly. I want the doctors to treat him, to cure him," said the child's uncle, Khawat Gul.

From BBC

I'm really close with my aunties, uncles, nans, grandads, trying to spend as much time together as possible, so I'd say that's one thing I'm really proud of, that I have a loving family.

From BBC

She told us her uncle's house across the street was targeted by federal agents last week.

From BBC

Related Words

• aunt 
• cousin 
• father 
• folk 
• mother 
• niece 
• sibling