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 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

From a fruity spritz to a bourbon-spiked lemonade worthy of your uncle’s grilling playlist, these drinks deliver summer in every sip. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

The lawsuit states that Jackson County’s ordinance prohibits Wilson from purchasing a $300 handgun from his uncle, who lives in Jackson County. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025

Kon and his siblings could follow in their dad and uncle's footsteps Though the Knueppel brothers have already played together in high school and middle school, shooting hoops as professionals could carry on a certain family tradition. —Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 26 June 2025

And his uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, also played at UW-Green Bay — and even logged 13 games in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1997. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025

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
• 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