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

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

Michael's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, portrays his uncle in his acting debut. —Jermont Terry, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

Having only been informed of their uncle’s passing, nearly 72 hours after it was reported to the media, The Krofft sisters, along with the rest of the company, are all saddened to hear about the passing of Sid Krofft. —Carmel Dagan, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

Kate stayed behind to pick up her and William’s three children from their first day of classes at a new school, while while William flew to Balmoral with his uncles, Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie. —Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 12 Apr. 2026

In that call, my uncle was silent, unable to speak due to advanced pneumonia. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 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