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

The 10-song Burned follows 2021’s New Fragility and grew out of a turbulent stretch for Ounsworth, marked by the end of a relationship and the successive losses of his mother, uncle and a close friend. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026

Brown had imagined a future following an uncle who played professionally, making it to the NFL and providing for his family. — Bella Armstrong, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

All three were brutally murdered and now the mother's uncle, Maurice Shnaider, wants justice. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

His dad was drafted by the Clippers and his uncle played for the Miami Heat. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 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