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
Example Sentences
I have three uncles and two aunts. My Uncle David is visiting next week.
Recent Examples on the Web Walking behind his father and uncle, Prince Harry also did not appear in military uniform. 
Patrick Smith, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 His mom, Linda Studzinski, brother Curt Studzinski, uncle Al Petrofsky, aunt Kathy Petrofsky, cousin James Stephen and friend Diane Hill came to the hotels most nights in various combinations to pick up gear and leave fresh clothes and drinks. Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 13 Sep. 2022 David Cañas, the lead investigator for the JPSO, interviewed six people: Alvarado and two colleagues, both of whom arrived on the scene after the use of force occurred, plus Arnold, her uncle and her stepfather. Gordon Russell, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 That poisonous word meets antivenom with a surprise visit from Mitzi’s elderly uncle Boris (Judd Hirsch), a vagabond who worked in circuses and in Hollywood. John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 In The Fabelmans, which is loosely based on Spielberg's own childhood, Seth Rogen plays a character inspired by the director's favorite uncle. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2022 Henry is the latest Hasselbeck to take the reins of Xaverian’s formidable I-formation offense, which still features some of the same looks that were present when his dad and uncle, Tim, donned the X during their dominant tenures in the 1990s. Mike Mcmahon, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2022 To celebrate the princess’s coming of age, Vogue published a watercolor portrait by Princess Marina of Kent, the chic widow of Princess Elizabeth’s uncle Prince George the Duke of Kent, who had been killed in a military air crash the year before. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 On Saturday, Fletcher’s uncle Mike Keeney addressed the press on behalf of her parents, her brother, and her husband, thanking law enforcement for working to find Fletcher. Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 See More
Patrick Smith, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 His mom, Linda Studzinski, brother Curt Studzinski, uncle Al Petrofsky, aunt Kathy Petrofsky, cousin James Stephen and friend Diane Hill came to the hotels most nights in various combinations to pick up gear and leave fresh clothes and drinks. Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 13 Sep. 2022 David Cañas, the lead investigator for the JPSO, interviewed six people: Alvarado and two colleagues, both of whom arrived on the scene after the use of force occurred, plus Arnold, her uncle and her stepfather. Gordon Russell, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 That poisonous word meets antivenom with a surprise visit from Mitzi’s elderly uncle Boris (Judd Hirsch), a vagabond who worked in circuses and in Hollywood. John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 In The Fabelmans, which is loosely based on Spielberg's own childhood, Seth Rogen plays a character inspired by the director's favorite uncle. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2022 Henry is the latest Hasselbeck to take the reins of Xaverian’s formidable I-formation offense, which still features some of the same looks that were present when his dad and uncle, Tim, donned the X during their dominant tenures in the 1990s. Mike Mcmahon, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2022 To celebrate the princess’s coming of age, Vogue published a watercolor portrait by Princess Marina of Kent, the chic widow of Princess Elizabeth’s uncle Prince George the Duke of Kent, who had been killed in a military air crash the year before. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2022 On Saturday, Fletcher’s uncle Mike Keeney addressed the press on behalf of her parents, her brother, and her husband, thanking law enforcement for working to find Fletcher. Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
uncle
noun
un·cle ˈəŋ-kəl
1
: the brother of a person's parent
2
: the husband of a person's aunt or uncle