uncle

noun

un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl How to pronounce uncle (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the time, Fergie and Duhamel had already decided on his middle name, Jack, after Fergie’s late uncle, who had died the year prior. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Hernandez was struck by how his uncle was treated compared to the other men in the video. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 Logan lost his uncle, New York State Supreme Court Officer Sergeant Mitchel Scott Wallace, in the attacks and now serves on the museum’s Visionary Leadership Council. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 Samuels’ father was a four-sport athlete in high school, while an uncle played running back at Eastern Illinois. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncle

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncle was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing uncle

Rhymes for uncle

See All Rhymes for uncle

Browse Nearby Words

unclassified
uncle
unclean
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Uncle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

uncle

noun
un·​cle ˈəŋ-kəl How to pronounce uncle (audio)
1
: the brother of one's father or mother
2
: the husband of one's aunt or uncle

More from Merriam-Webster on uncle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about uncle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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