extended family

[ik-sten-did fam-uh-lee, fam lee] / ɪkˈstɛn dɪd ˈfæm ə li, ˈfæm li /

NOUN

parents, children, and relatives

Synonyms

STRONGEST

nuclear family

WEAK

binuclear family kinship group menage ménage relations

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"We did not evolve to raise children with as little extended family and community support as most American parents have now," says Dr. Barish, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

From Science Daily • Jun. 13, 2026

They’re also at times footing the bill for their extended family.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

So Ivanoff, Kristil's parents and extended family began working to change the law and save other lives.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Much of her extended family was murdered by the Germans, but “the investment in Holocaust education has been a huge mistake,” she says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Everyone but me seems to have their whole extended family here to cheer them on.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau