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uncle

uncle

∞ 1.0
A man who is your parent's brother or your aunt's husband
  • noun
  • /ˈʌŋkəl/
: tío
  • Hi, I'm Henry's uncle.
  • aunts and uncles
  • brothers and uncles
  • paternal uncle

I'd have to go through my uncle to get it.

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Examples

  • My grandmother came from the same village as Uncle Benny in China.

  • - My uncle says it makes me strong.

  • And on that day, they will meet their uncle Friday.

  • I get an e-mail from my uncle about his illness.

  • Every now and then, my uncle asks where they are and where everyone else is.

    Academic text (2008)
  • A female participant's uncle helped take care of her family after the loss of her father.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Phil moved in with his uncle and applied for a job at the plant.

    Academic text (1990)
  • There is nothing my uncle wouldn't do for this woman.

  • - This is my uncle's store.

  • I used to spend summers at my uncle's ranch when I was a kid.

Synonyms

relative
vsuncle
645 1.0

A person who is in your family by blood or marriage

is a specific family member being a parent's brother or an aunt's husband

Idioms

to say uncle
  • Informal
2 8.9

To give up because of pressure or pain

1 9.9

A phrase people say when something is easy to do

to cry uncle
  • Informal
1 8.8

To admit you give up when someone pressures you

9.9

An expression showing great surprise or disbelief

A phrase people say to show talking about impossible what-ifs is pointless

You say this when you are very surprised and do not believe something

Compounds

24 2.3

A brother of one of your grandparents

7 4.1

A tall old man with a white beard who represents the United States in posters

Dutch uncle
  • Informal
1 8.8

A person who gives honest, firm advice to help you

agony uncle
  • Literature
8.0

A man who writes advice in a newspaper or magazine about personal problems

Uncle Sucker
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who trusts others and falls for tricks easily

Uncle Scam
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who tricks people into giving their money

Uncle Sham
  • Offensive
9.9

A nickname for a dishonest person who pretends to speak for the country

How Close

spouse
272 1.0
sibling
253 1.0
grandparent
275 1.0
uncle
∞ 1.0
cousin
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

uncle singular
uncles plural

Etymology

Uncle comes from the Latin word avunculus, which means 'little grandfather'. That image helps: an uncle is an older family member, usually the brother of your father or mother or the husband of your aunt.