uncle
ˈʌŋkəl
Definition Synonyms

Definition of uncle - Reverso English Dictionary

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Noun

1.
familybrother or brother-in-law of one's parent
  • My uncle is visiting us this weekend.
kin relative
2.
by marriagehusband of one's aunt
  • My uncle and aunt celebrated their anniversary..
in-law relative
3.
respectaffectionate term for older man
  • Uncle Tom waved at the children.
mister sir
4.
financeDatedUKpawnbroker in British informal contextDatedUK
  • He took his watch to the uncle for some cash.
broker moneylender pawnbroker
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Expressions with uncle

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man who writes advice in a newspaper column
The agony uncle answered questions about relationships in the Sunday paper.
admit defeat or give up under pressure
After a long struggle, he finally cried uncle.
someone who criticizes to help
She played the dutch uncle, pointing out my mistakes to improve my work.
large number of people involved or present
Everyone and their uncle showed up at the concert.
husband of your aunt or uncle
My uncle-in-law is coming to dinner tonight.
brother of your great-grandparent
My great-great-uncle fought in the war.

Origin of uncle

Latin, avunculus (mother's brother)

Terms with uncle included in their meaning

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marriage
wife of one's uncle
family
child of one's aunt or uncle
cuzn.
family
close family member, the child of your aunt or uncle
uncle-related
related to an uncle or uncle-like qualities
family
friendly and helpful like an uncle
family
child of one's half uncle or half aunt
literature
United States author of Uncle Remus stories
paternal uncle
father's elder brother in a family

Examples of uncle in a sentence

  • We spent the holidays with my uncle.
  • Her uncle joined the family gathering.
  • My uncle shared stories from his youth.
  • Uncle Joe told us stories by the fire.
  • Everyone loved Uncle Mike at the reunion.
  • She pawned her necklace at the uncle's shop.

View all translations of uncle

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:oncle, tonton, ...
  2. German:Onkel, Onkelchen, ...
  3. Italian:zio, marito di mia zia, ...
  4. Spanish:tío, tío político, ...
  5. Portuguese:tio, velhote, ...
  6. Chinese:舅舅, 姨丈, ...
  7. Japanese:おじ, おじさん, ...
  8. Arabic:عَم, زَوْج الْعَمَّة, ...
  9. Hebrew:דּוֹד, הַדּוֹד, ...
  10. Russian:дядя, тесть, ...
  11. Ukrainian:дядько, дядечко, ...
  12. Hindi:चाचा, मौसी या बुआ के पति, ...
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