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/say uncle [=was forced to surrender]

4

Uncle : 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

That standard works when your uncle cuts you a birthday check. —Pamala Wiepking, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026

Yasmin puts that mission into motion by meeting with Henry’s uncle Alexander to tell him about Henry’s drug use and infidelity. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026

His uncle had heard about a new route to immigrate to Europe; a travel agency in Mogadishu was advertising tickets. —Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

Their uncle, Al Heidari, has owned Old Warsaw since the 1980s. —Claire Ballor staff Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026

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
• cry/say 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