# aunt

/ˈænt/ (US) · /ˈɑːnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aunt
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. parent's sister

noun · CEFR A1

the sister of your father or mother.

For teachers: the female sibling of one's parent.

- My aunt Sarah is my mother's younger sister and lives in London.
- After the funeral, my aunt shared stories about growing up with my father that I had never heard before.

### 2. uncle's wife

noun · CEFR A1

the wife of your uncle.

For teachers: the wife of one's parent's sibling.

- My uncle Joe and his wife, my aunt Maria, are visiting us.
- Although she is technically my aunt by marriage, she has been a central figure in our family for decades.

### 3. close family friend

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a woman who is a close friend of your parents, even if she is not a relative.

For teachers: a term of affection or respect for a woman of an older generation, typically a close friend of the family.

- Even though we aren't related, I always call my mom's best friend Aunt Linda.
- In many cultures, it is customary to address any close female friend of the parents as 'Aunt' as a sign of respect and intimacy.

Usage: Often used as a title before a first name.

Teaching tip: This is a common example of 'fictive kinship' where family terms are used for non-relatives to show closeness.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.