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/say uncle [=was forced to surrender]

4

Uncle : uncle sam

see also:

say uncle

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

But the calm day gave way to terror when her uncle again looked out into the ocean and saw Summer’s head bobbing in and out of the water. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

His uncle told the Indian Express Singh was unmarried and planned to visit his family back in India next year. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

Nehad Ajouri, uncle of the victim, Islam Maher Ajouri, called the shooting indiscriminate. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Mymonie rode a train to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where her uncle lived, and where the wedding would take place, in a small afternoon ceremony. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

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
• cry/say 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