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

To underscore the point and the new-age pressures: After morning skill work and some extra shooting, Tucker DeVries sits down for an interview 20 minutes before a scheduled Zoom with his uncle … who is also his financial adviser. —Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Most commenters support the original poster, writing that the aunt and uncle are the rude people in this situation. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 10 July 2025

His father, Chavo Guerrero Sr., was a legendary performer, and his uncle, the late, great Eddie Guerrero, is a WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most beloved superstars of all time. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

His bossy attitude soon puts him in the crosshairs of a mischievous quartet: Olivia’s drunken uncle, Sir Toby Belch (Kevin Theis), and his feckless buddy, Sir Andrew Aguecheek (J Cody Hunt), along with two members of Olivia’s household staff, Maria (Julia Rowley) and Fabian (Kason Chesky). —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025

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

Rhymes for uncle

• carbuncle
• peduncle
• siphuncle

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