uncle — the brother of one's father or mother, or the husband of one's aunt
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the brother of one's father or mother, or the husband of one's aunt
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌŋkəl/
Example Sentences
- Uncle Tom will pick you up from school today.
- My uncle thinks he's a chef, but he once burned water while making pasta.
- Every family has that one uncle who tells the same joke at every gathering.
uncle
NOUN[/ˈʌŋkəl/]
the brother of one's father or mother, or the husband of one's aunt
Uncle reunites with his nephew
Uncle helps buckle shoes with a gentle chuckle
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin avunculus, a diminutive form combining avus (grandfather) and -unculus (small). Originally referring specifically to a mother's brother, the term reflected the historically significant role maternal uncles held in relation to their nephews and nieces.
Breakdown
avunculus (Latin: grandfather + small) > Old French oncle > Middle English uncle. The root avus (grandfather) combined with the diminutive suffix -unculus (small) created a term for the younger male relative in the maternal line.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Uncle Tom will pick you up from school today.”
“My uncle thinks he's a chef, but he once burned water while making pasta.”
“Every family has that one uncle who tells the same joke at every gathering.”
“I inherited this watch from my uncle.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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