avuncular

adjective

avun·cu·lar | \ ə-ˈvəŋ-kyə-lər

Definition of avuncular

1 : suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or geniality avuncular indulgence Jovial and avuncular, the President's chief of staff seems oblivious to the pressures that accompany what is arguably the second most powerful job in the land.— Craig Unger

2 : of or relating to an uncle Two weeks of poker had led to his writing to his uncle a distressed, but confident, request for more funds; and the avuncular foot had come down with a joyous bang.— P. G. Wodehouse

Other Words from avuncular The Origin of Avuncular Is Familial More Example Sentences Learn More about avuncular

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Other Words from avuncular

avuncularity \ ə-ˌvəŋ-kyə-ˈla-rə-tē

, -ˈler-ə- \ noun

avuncularly \ ə-ˈvəŋ-kyə-lər-lē

\ adverb

The Origin of Avuncular Is Familial

Not all uncles are likeable fellows (Hamlet's murderous Uncle Claudius, for example, isn't exactly Mr. Nice Guy in Shakespeare's tragedy), but "avuncular" reveals that, as a group, uncles are generally seen as affable and benevolent, if at times a bit patronizing. Avuncular derives from the Latin noun avunculus, which translates as "maternal uncle," but since at least the 1830s English speakers have used "avuncular" to refer to uncles from either side of the family or even to individuals who are simply uncle-like in character or behavior. And in case you were wondering, "avunculus" is also an ancestor of the word uncle itself.

Examples of avuncular in a Sentence

a man known for his avuncular charm

Recent Examples on the Web

The most recognizable member of that council has been Omar Alloush, an avuncular man with gray hair and a round face that belie his record as an energetic political operator. — Washington Post, "How American neglect imperils the victory over ISIS," 19 Apr. 2018 Schumer was in his usual avuncular style, his reading glasses firmly perched on his nose. — Erik Maza, Town & Country, "Nancy Pelosi's Red Fire Coat is Officially Available to Buy," 14 Mar. 2019 We were greeted by the distillery manager, Michael Heads, a casual avuncular fellow with white hair who introduced himself as Mickey. — Liza Weisstuch, New York Times, "The Whisky Chronicles," 23 Apr. 2018 Salvini is a gifted speaker with an avuncular style who dresses casually and uses big hand gestures and punchy sentences. — Chico Harlan, Washington Post, "The torchbearer of Italy’s far right is now in power and wants to make good on anti-migrant promises," 4 June 2018 The avuncular musician known as Calvin ii plucks a guitar like a front-porch elder; the vibe is happy, peaceful. — Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, "Childish Gambino makes a serious statement with ‘This Is America’," 7 May 2018 Gustinis, as one of the only people Gevers would listen to, involved himself as an avuncular ombudsman, breezily telling the Breitmans to sit tight and give him time to broker peace. — Gideon Lewis-kraus, WIRED, "The Blockchain: A Love Story—And a Horror Story," 18 June 2018 That’s when the avuncular Joan (Ann Dowd) shows up, a helpful, supportive friend looking to guide Annie toward a paranormal cure for her unending grief. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "The Close-to-Home Horror of Hereditary," 7 June 2018 After 1870, Cézanne largely stopped painting portraits for a number of years, a period during which he was mentored by the avuncular Camille Pissarro in refinements of the techniques of open-air Impressionism. — Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "The Lurchingly Uneven Portraits of Paul Cézanne," 21 Feb. 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avuncular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.