Word
aunty
Phoneticsaun·ty
UK/ˈɑːnti/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the sister of your father or mother, or the wife of your uncle. You might also use this word for a close female friend of your family.
n. the sister of one's parent or the spouse of one's uncle. Often used as a familiar or affectionate term of address, sometimes extended to close female family friends in various cultures.
Examples
“My aunty lives in London and visits us every summer.”
“I am going to stay with my favorite aunty this weekend to help her in the garden.”
Examples
simple
“My aunty lives in London and visits us every summer.”
contextual
“I am going to stay with my favorite aunty this weekend to help her in the garden.”
Usage
Commonly used as a term of address; often capitalized when used as a title before a name.
Pitfall
My auntie is a doctor.
My aunty is a doctor.
Both 'aunty' and 'auntie' are correct, but learners should be consistent with the spelling throughout their writing.
Etymology
From aunt + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/aunty