Uncle
noun
The brother of one's parents or the husband of one's aunt.
My uncle is visiting us next week.
Often appears as...
- paternal uncle
- maternal uncle
noun
An older male friend or mentor.
He has always been like an uncle to me.
Often appears as...
- like an uncle
- uncle figure
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A pawnbroker.
He had to go to his uncle to pawn this watch.
Often appears as...
- my uncle's shop
- uncle's pawn
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
A term used to address an older man, often used as a respectful term of address by younger people.
Uncle, could you please help me?
Often appears as...
- uncle
- could you
noun
A companion to a child in a game where the supposed uncle is continually victimised; also, one who submits meekly to ill-treatment or threats.
Don't play the uncle!
Often appears as...
- play the uncle
- like an uncle
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
noun
The brother of one's parents or the husband of one's aunt.
My uncle is visiting us next week.
Often appears as...
- paternal uncle
- maternal uncle
noun
An older male friend or mentor.
He has always been like an uncle to me.
Often appears as...
- like an uncle
- uncle figure
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A pawnbroker.
He had to go to his uncle to pawn this watch.
Often appears as...
- my uncle's shop
- uncle's pawn
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
A term used to address an older man, often used as a respectful term of address by younger people.
Uncle, could you please help me?
Often appears as...
- uncle
- could you
noun
A companion to a child in a game where the supposed uncle is continually victimised; also, one who submits meekly to ill-treatment or threats.
Don't play the uncle!
Often appears as...
- play the uncle
- like an uncle
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Family Relations
Use 'uncle' to refer to a close family relation, specifically your parent's brother or aunt's husband.
I spent the weekend with my uncle and cousins.
Pro Tip 2/2Extended Family
'Great uncle' refers to your grandparents' brothers; they're part of your extended family.
My great uncle used to be a sailor.
Pro Tip 1/2Family Relations
Use 'uncle' to refer to a close family relation, specifically your parent's brother or aunt's husband.
I spent the weekend with my uncle and cousins.
Pro Tip 2/2Extended Family
'Great uncle' refers to your grandparents' brothers; they're part of your extended family.
My great uncle used to be a sailor.
Pro Tip 1/2Family Relations
Use 'uncle' to refer to a close family relation, specifically your parent's brother or aunt's husband.
I spent the weekend with my uncle and cousins.
Pro Tip 2/2Extended Family
'Great uncle' refers to your grandparents' brothers; they're part of your extended family.
My great uncle used to be a sailor.
Never forget "Uncle"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The Rise of the Cali...
because he wanted my dad to be a lawyer. And that's why I wanted to be a lawyer. I want to be like my dad. I wanted to help my family. People think that bandits don't have values. But my dad and uncle did. They have honor. Violence was the last step to resolve the problems,
Video examples
Tycho Brahe, the...
but at age two was kidnapped to be raised by his uncle instead. His parents didn't seem to mind. Tycho was supposed to have a career in law, but after witnessing a solar eclipse at thirteen, he began spending more time with mathematics and science professors,
Video examples
Best Scenes From The...
pack must search hundreds of square kilometers if it's to be successful and success means raising the next generation to do that here the Wolves must work together so the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well
Video examples
Can you solve the locker...
but he knew that if he did, your relatives would pester you forever. So he is banking on the fact that he taught you everything you need to know about riddles. Your uncle left the following note in his "I have created a puzzle.
Video examples
Building bridges and...
started early thanks to hours sitting around the dinner table lifting my dad and uncles banter about literally changing the world around them I grew up believing that engineers and
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
next generation to do that here the wolves must work together so the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well
Video examples
Feeding Baby Orphaned...
groups and like our families they live love and learn surrounded by others so the keepers become mum dad auntie uncle and most important friends
Video examples
What I learned about...
and he did not talk about it. And it scares me. We live in a world right now where a dictator can be praised for executing his uncle,
Video examples
Best Wild Animal Chases...
together so the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well
Video examples
Wolf Pack Hunts A Hare PIPE...
So, the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well.
Video examples
The Rise of the Cali...
because he wanted my dad to be a lawyer. And that's why I wanted to be a lawyer. I want to be like my dad. I wanted to help my family. People think that bandits don't have values. But my dad and uncle did. They have honor. Violence was the last step to resolve the problems,
Video examples
Tycho Brahe, the...
but at age two was kidnapped to be raised by his uncle instead. His parents didn't seem to mind. Tycho was supposed to have a career in law, but after witnessing a solar eclipse at thirteen, he began spending more time with mathematics and science professors,
Video examples
Best Scenes From The...
pack must search hundreds of square kilometers if it's to be successful and success means raising the next generation to do that here the Wolves must work together so the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well
Video examples
Can you solve the locker...
but he knew that if he did, your relatives would pester you forever. So he is banking on the fact that he taught you everything you need to know about riddles. Your uncle left the following note in his "I have created a puzzle.
Video examples
Building bridges and...
started early thanks to hours sitting around the dinner table lifting my dad and uncles banter about literally changing the world around them I grew up believing that engineers and
Video examples
BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...
next generation to do that here the wolves must work together so the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well
Video examples
Feeding Baby Orphaned...
groups and like our families they live love and learn surrounded by others so the keepers become mum dad auntie uncle and most important friends
Video examples
What I learned about...
and he did not talk about it. And it scares me. We live in a world right now where a dictator can be praised for executing his uncle,
Video examples
Best Wild Animal Chases...
together so the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well
Video examples
Wolf Pack Hunts A Hare PIPE...
So, the young are raised not only by their parents but by their aunts and uncles as well.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Lydia Ko
New Zealander Athlete
Everyone gets surprised because neither one of my parents play golf. Like I said in my speech, my aunt and uncle really love golf, and we visited them, and she gave me two clubs. Like people think when they don't know who my dad is, they think he's my coach.
Quote examples
Hero Fiennes-Tiffin
English Actor
My uncles are always busy away acting, so I barely even see them much at all, but I always know that they are so supportive. Anytime I do see them, they always check up on it and make sure everything's okay and let me know that they're there for me.
Quote examples
Audra McDonald
American Actress
Maybe it's because my uncle and my parents were always very involved with the civil rights movement, so I just grew up and I was raised that you have to speak out and look out for your fellow man, woman, and child.
Quote examples
James Bay
British Musician
There was a guitar that my uncle owned and never learnt to play. He sold it to my dad, and when I heard 'Layla', that was the tune that really grabbed me. I said to my dad, 'Wait, there's a guitar, right?
Quote examples
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Irish Playwright
There is nothing on earth so easy as to forget, if a person chooses to set about it. I'm sure I have as much forgot your poor, dear uncle, as if he had never existed; and I thought it my duty to do so.
Quote examples
Mariano Rivera
Panamanian Athlete
My father was strict and always taught me, no matter who it is, everybody is an uncle. To me, everybody was someone I respect like family. I grew up with that.
Quote examples
Laurence Fox
English Actor
I'll say my dad couldn't act to save his life and nor can my uncle, and they'll say I'm the worst actor in the world.
Quote examples
Timothee Chalamet
American Actor
I feel like I've been around performance my whole life. My mom and uncle had done plays.
Quote examples
Omari Hardwick
American Actor
There were uncles in my life that definitely knew the street life.
Quote examples
will.i.am
American Musician
I've been truly protected by my uncles.
Quote examples
Lydia Ko
New Zealander Athlete
Everyone gets surprised because neither one of my parents play golf. Like I said in my speech, my aunt and uncle really love golf, and we visited them, and she gave me two clubs. Like people think when they don't know who my dad is, they think he's my coach.
Quote examples
Hero Fiennes-Tiffin
English Actor
My uncles are always busy away acting, so I barely even see them much at all, but I always know that they are so supportive. Anytime I do see them, they always check up on it and make sure everything's okay and let me know that they're there for me.
Quote examples
Audra McDonald
American Actress
Maybe it's because my uncle and my parents were always very involved with the civil rights movement, so I just grew up and I was raised that you have to speak out and look out for your fellow man, woman, and child.
Quote examples
James Bay
British Musician
There was a guitar that my uncle owned and never learnt to play. He sold it to my dad, and when I heard 'Layla', that was the tune that really grabbed me. I said to my dad, 'Wait, there's a guitar, right?
Quote examples
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Irish Playwright
There is nothing on earth so easy as to forget, if a person chooses to set about it. I'm sure I have as much forgot your poor, dear uncle, as if he had never existed; and I thought it my duty to do so.
Quote examples
Mariano Rivera
Panamanian Athlete
My father was strict and always taught me, no matter who it is, everybody is an uncle. To me, everybody was someone I respect like family. I grew up with that.
Quote examples
Laurence Fox
English Actor
I'll say my dad couldn't act to save his life and nor can my uncle, and they'll say I'm the worst actor in the world.
Quote examples
Timothee Chalamet
American Actor
I feel like I've been around performance my whole life. My mom and uncle had done plays.
Quote examples
Omari Hardwick
American Actor
There were uncles in my life that definitely knew the street life.
Quote examples
will.i.am
American Musician
I've been truly protected by my uncles.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension