cousin

noun

cous·in | \ ˈkə-zən

Definition of cousin

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a child of one's uncle or aunt

b : a relative descended from one's grandparent or more remote ancestor by two or more steps and in a different line

c : kinsman, relative a distant cousin

2 : one associated with or related to another : counterpart Rural children deserve as good an education as their city cousins get.— Benjamin Fine

3 —used as a title by a sovereign in addressing a nobleman

4 : a person of a race or people ethnically or culturally related our English cousins

Cousin

biographical name

Cou·sin | \ kü-ˈzaⁿ

Definition of Cousin (Entry 2 of 2)

Victor 1792–1867 French philosopher

Other Words from cousin Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cousin

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Other Words from cousin

Noun

cousinhood \ ˈkə-zən-ˌhu̇d

\ noun

cousinly adjective

cousinship \ ˈkə-zən-ˌship

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for cousin

Synonyms: Noun

kin, kinsman, relation, relative

Antonyms: Noun

nonrelative

Examples of cousin in a Sentence

Noun

Everyone came to the wedding, including a distant cousin no one had heard from in years. The cricket is a cousin of the grasshopper. hurricanes and their cousins, typhoons

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Additionally, the Rams are blessed with a quartet of talented individuals as sets of cousins, the Banks (Antwain and Deonta both juniors) and McDowell's (Christian and Naseem both seniors). — Randy Mcroberts, The Aegis, "2017 high school football preview," 30 Aug. 2017 Like many cousins, Tyler and Ryan Lilomaiava often clash. — Rick Mauch, star-telegram, "Why this football season will be a special reunion for two L.D. Bell cousins," 29 Aug. 2017 Jacob Drake, 21, of North Lewisburg, Ohio, was among the missing, according to a cousin, Brandie Roberts. — Eric Schmitt And Richard C. Paddock, New York Times, "Commander of Naval Fleet Relieved of Duty After Collisions," 22 Aug. 2017 Given how closely related Neanderthals are to our own species, the researchers’ ability to identify a single protein sequence specific to our evolutionary cousins is stunning. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "Proteomics: Moving Beyond DNA to Study the Past," 15 Aug. 2017

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