first cousin

noun

: cousin sense 1a

Examples of first cousin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Writer and actress Mara Wilson, best known for her starring role in the ‘90s film adaptation of Matilda, is maternal first cousins with right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026 The Tindalls are parents to three children of their own, and Zara and George’s father Prince William are first cousins and grew up together. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 27 July 2026 Prince William and Princess Kate’s children Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, have no relationship with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, despite being first cousins. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 The documentary confirms that Porush did indeed marry his first cousin, Nancy. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for first cousin

Word History

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first cousin was in 1649

Rhymes for first cousin

See All Rhymes for first cousin

Browse Nearby Words

firstcomer
first cousin
first cross
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“First cousin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20cousin. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

first cousin

noun
: cousin sense 1a
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All