uncle

noun

un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl 

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

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

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

Phrases Containing uncle

• and Bob's your uncle
• Dutch uncle
• great-uncle
• say uncle
• uncle-in-law

Kids Definition

uncle

noun

un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl 

1

: the brother of one's father or mother

2

: the husband of one's aunt or uncle