Definition

The brother of someone's father or mother.

Example

My uncle is coming to visit us this weekend.

Conversation

I can't wait to see my uncle this weekend!

That's awesome! What are you guys planning to do?

We're going fishing at the lake; he always has the best stories.

Sounds like a lot of fun! I love hanging out with my uncle too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Uncle → The word 'uncle' comes from Old French 'oncle', which is derived from Latin 'avunculus', meaning maternal uncle or mother's brother. The term originally referred to a mother's brother, emphasizing the familial connection.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word 'avunculus' which means a mother's brother — this helps you remember that an uncle is a male relative on your mother's side.

Visually Confused Words