avuncular

adjective

avun·cu·lar ə-ˈvəŋ-kyə-lər How to pronounce avuncular (audio)

: suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or geniality

avuncular indulgence

Jovial and avuncular, the President's chief of staff seems oblivious to the pressures that accompany what is arguably the second most powerful job in the land.

Craig Unger

: of or relating to an uncle

Two weeks of poker had led to his writing to his uncle a distressed, but confident, request for more funds; and the avuncular foot had come down with a joyous bang.

P. G. Wodehouse

avuncularity

ə-ˌvəŋ-kyə-ˈla-rə-tē How to pronounce avuncular (audio)

-ˈler-ə-

noun

avuncularly

ə-ˈvəŋ-kyə-lər-lē How to pronounce avuncular (audio)

adverb

Did you know?

The Origin of Avuncular Is Familial

Not all uncles are likeable fellows (Hamlet's murderous Uncle Claudius, for example, isn't exactly Mr. Nice Guy in William Shakespeare's tragedy), but avuncular reveals that, as a group, uncles are generally seen as affable and benevolent, if at times a bit patronizing. Avuncular derives from the Latin noun avunculus, which translates as "maternal uncle," but since at least the 19th century English speakers have used avuncular to refer to uncles from either side of the family or even to individuals who are simply uncle-like in character or behavior. And in case you were wondering, avunculus is also an ancestor of the word uncle itself.

Example Sentences

a man known for his avuncular charm

Recent Examples on the Web Pinocchio’s naïveté, Jiminy Cricket’s avuncular haplessness, even Figaro the cat’s mischief – all have lost a noticeable degree of humanity and soul in the transition from ink to pixels.

Andrew Barker, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Now 70 years old, with an avuncular twinkle, Shadinov is one of the dwindling number of Moynaq residents who lived through this transformation.

Henry Wismayer, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Aug. 2022 Now 70 years old, with an avuncular twinkle, Shadinov is one of the dwindling number of Moynaq residents who lived through this transformation.

Henry Wismayer, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 With his avuncular white beard and commanding voice, Mr. Thompson, 74, has established the committee’s serious, and almost solemn, tone.

New York Times, 17 June 2022 Carter turned instead to the San Francisco Symphony’s distinguished, avuncular German music director, Alfred Hertz.

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2022 Cruise’s Maverick flashes a mischievous avuncular grin beneath his helmet and chases his young charges in F/A-18s all over the Mojave Desert, teaching them new moves while wasting no chance to reassert his own superiority.

Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022 Colin Firth is uncanny as Peterson, mimicking his avuncular bonhomie, and hinting at the stormy temper and dangerous narcissism that lurks beneath it.

Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 5 May 2022 See More

单词	avuncular
释义	avuncular adjective avun·cu·lar ə-ˈvəŋ-kyə-lər 1 : suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or geniality avuncular indulgence Jovial and avuncular, the President's chief of staff seems oblivious to the pressures that accompany what is arguably the second most powerful job in the land. Craig Unger 2 : of or relating to an uncle Two weeks of poker had led to his writing to his uncle a distressed, but confident, request for more funds; and the avuncular foot had come down with a joyous bang. P. G. Wodehouse avuncularity ə-ˌvəŋ-kyə-ˈla-rə-tē -ˈler-ə- noun avuncularly ə-ˈvəŋ-kyə-lər-lē adverb Did you know? The Origin of Avuncular Is Familial Not all uncles are likeable fellows (Hamlet's murderous Uncle Claudius, for example, isn't exactly Mr. Nice Guy in William Shakespeare's tragedy), but avuncular reveals that, as a group, uncles are generally seen as affable and benevolent, if at times a bit patronizing. Avuncular derives from the Latin noun avunculus, which translates as "maternal uncle," but since at least the 19th century English speakers have used avuncular to refer to uncles from either side of the family or even to individuals who are simply uncle-like in character or behavior. And in case you were wondering, avunculus is also an ancestor of the word uncle itself. Example Sentences a man known for his avuncular charm Recent Examples on the Web Pinocchio’s naïveté, Jiminy Cricket’s avuncular haplessness, even Figaro the cat’s mischief – all have lost a noticeable degree of humanity and soul in the transition from ink to pixels. Andrew Barker, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 Now 70 years old, with an avuncular twinkle, Shadinov is one of the dwindling number of Moynaq residents who lived through this transformation. Henry Wismayer, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Aug. 2022 Now 70 years old, with an avuncular twinkle, Shadinov is one of the dwindling number of Moynaq residents who lived through this transformation. Henry Wismayer, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Aug. 2022 Now 70 years old, with an avuncular twinkle, Shadinov is one of the dwindling number of Moynaq residents who lived through this transformation. Henry Wismayer, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2022 With his avuncular white beard and commanding voice, Mr. Thompson, 74, has established the committee’s serious, and almost solemn, tone. New York Times, 17 June 2022 Carter turned instead to the San Francisco Symphony’s distinguished, avuncular German music director, Alfred Hertz. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2022 Cruise’s Maverick flashes a mischievous avuncular grin beneath his helmet and chases his young charges in F/A-18s all over the Mojave Desert, teaching them new moves while wasting no chance to reassert his own superiority. Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022 Colin Firth is uncanny as Peterson, mimicking his avuncular bonhomie, and hinting at the stormy temper and dangerous narcissism that lurks beneath it. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 5 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Latin avunculus maternal uncle — more at uncle First Known Use 1831, in the meaning defined at sense 2
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avuncular

adjective

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History