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

After completing coursework in this field at the Art Institute, he was introduced to the telecommunications industry by his wife’s uncle. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

Growing up, his uncle was an entry point to baseball along with cousins who pushed him to excel. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Jaafar and Jermajesty also paid tribute to their uncle in June 2011 as Jermaine helped unveil The Michael Jackson Experience at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood. —Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

However, Bryant’s uncle, Raymond Bryant, testified during the other men’s criminal trial that his nephew had confessed to the shooting. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 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