uncle

as inman
as inrelative
as inkinsman
as inkinswoman

Synonyms for uncle

noun male human

Antonyms for uncle

Word Origin & History

late 13c., from Old French oncle, from Latin avunculus "mother's brother," literally "little grandfather," diminutive of avus "grandfather," from PIE root *awo- "grandfather, adult male relative other than one's father" (cf. Armenian hav "grandfather," Lithuanian avynas "maternal uncle," Old Church Slavonic uji "uncle," Welsh ewythr "uncle").

Replaced Old English eam (usually maternal; paternal uncle was fædera), which represents the Germanic form of the root (cf. Dutch oom, Old High German oheim "maternal uncle," German Ohm "uncle").

Also from French are German, Danish, Swedish onkel. First record of Dutch uncle (and his blunt, stern, benevolent advice) is from 1838; Welsh uncle (1747) was the first cousin of one's parent. To say uncle as a sign of submission in a fight is North American, attested from 1909, of uncertain signification.

Example Sentences for uncle

Uncle Peter stood in a flood of light at the door of his room.

In the simpler phrasing of Uncle Peter Bines, he will "cut loose."

But Uncle Peter had already put in some hard winters, and was not wanting in fortitude.

He was busy almost half an hour, while Uncle Peter smoked in silence.

When he came out ten minutes later Uncle Peter was waiting for him alone.

Why, of course not, Uncle Peter; only I had to look around some at first,—for a year or so.

He took his uncle up in his strong arms, and moved toward the stairs.

You wouldn't turn out your sister's son, would you, Uncle Paul?

Uncle Peter had first declared that the thought of food sickened him.

When he finished, he said, "Now tell me where you keep your vegetables, Uncle Paul?"

uncle

Synonyms for uncle

Antonyms for uncle

More words related to uncle

kinsman

kinsmen

kinswoman

man

men

relative