aunt

noun

ˈant  ˈänt 

1

: the sister of one's father or mother

2

: the wife of one's uncle or aunt

aunthood

ˈant-ˌhu̇d 

ˈänt-

noun

auntlike

ˈant-ˌlīk 

ˈänt-

adjective

auntly adjective

Examples of aunt in a Sentence

He has three aunts and two uncles.

This is my Aunt Mary.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bordelon first learned about nursing through his aunt, who was a nurse. — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 21 July 2026

Three of my aunts were nuns, many of my cousins became priests, and my parents, siblings and I were all educated by the Jesuits. — Geri McGinn Kerger, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

In its opening stretch, Ghost-Eye alternates between Shoma’s 1969 consultations with the young Varsha and the experiences of Shoma’s nephew, Dinanth Datta, called Dinu by his aunt. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Lady Kitty Spencer and twins Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer—the three eldest daughters of Princess Diana’s younger brother Charles Spencer—often channel their famous aunt through their fashion. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French ante, from Latin amita; akin to Old High German amma mother, nurse, Greek amma nurse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aunt

• agony aunt
• aunt-in-law
• great-aunt

Rhymes for aunt

• ant
• cant
• chant
• gant
• lant
• pant
• plant
• quant
• rant
• sant
• scant
• slant

Kids Definition

aunt

noun

ˈant 

ˈȧnt

1

: the sister of one's father or mother

2

: the wife of one's uncle or aunt