uncle

noun

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un·cle | \ ˈəŋ-kəl

Definition of uncle

1a : 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 uncle

4 capitalized : 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 The 4-year-old was left in the care of his uncle, Mario Jenkins, on Saturday and on Tuesday was reported missing. — Jessika Harkay, courant.com, 4 June 2021 Maclean’s investigation into the death of his uncle. — Washington Post, 3 June 2021 Islam Said harbored his father inside his Bedford apartment with the help of his uncle, Yassein Abdulfatah Said, according to authorities. — Kevin Krause, Dallas News, 27 Apr. 2021 Recreating a full-size domestic interior reminiscent of the 1950s, film artist Lindsay McIntyre recalls the memory of her uncle, political activist Kiviaq, the first Inuk lawyer. — Bernadette Driscoll Engelstad, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Apr. 2021 After a year in Germany, Philip was put into the care of his uncle, George Mountbatten, second Marquess of Milford Haven, and enrolled at the Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland (later attended by Prince Charles). — Phil Boucher, PEOPLE.com, 9 Apr. 2021 Sharon Calhoun’s most fond memories of her uncle come from family gatherings. — Christian Booher, Detroit Free Press, 23 Mar. 2021 Sadr is a sophomore at Canyon Crest Academy who decided to run as a co-candidate in the Students of the Year Campaign in honor of his late uncle. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2021 Allen compared his relationship with Miller to that of an uncle. — Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Mar. 2021

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

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Last Updated

12 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Uncle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncle. Accessed 15 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for uncle

uncle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of uncle

: the brother of your father or mother or the husband of your aunt

US, informal —used as a word that you say when you are being hurt in a fight to show that you admit being defeated and do not want to continue fighting

See the full definition for uncle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

uncle

noun

un·cle | \ ˈəŋ-kəl