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uncle

n. · interj.
US //ˈəŋkəɫ// UK //ˈʌŋkəl// un·cle
  1. 1 family member (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    the brother of your mother or father, or the husband of your aunt.

    the male sibling of one's parent or the husband of one's parent's sibling.

    Example

    My uncle lives in Canada and visits us every summer.

    Example

    After the reading of the will, my uncle inherited the family estate where he had spent most of his childhood summers.
  2. 2 family friend (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    a close male friend of your parents who you treat like a family member.

    a fictive kinship title applied to a close male friend of one's parents.

    Example

    Uncle Dave isn't actually related to us, but he's my dad's best friend.

    Example

    In many households, it is customary for children to address long-term family friends as 'uncle' as a sign of respect and intimacy.

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  1. 3 older man (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Dialect Informal

    a polite or friendly way to refer to any middle-aged or elderly man.

    a term of address for an older or middle-aged man, common in various English dialects including Singaporean and Malaysian English.

    Example

    The uncle at the market always gives me a discount on fruit.

    Example

    The local taxi uncle knew every shortcut in the city, navigating the morning traffic with impressive ease.

  2. 4 surrender (interj.)
    C1 Advanced American English Informal

    a word you say to show you give up, usually during a game or a friendly fight.

    a cry used to indicate submission or surrender, typically in the idiom 'cry uncle'.

    Example

    I had to cry uncle when my big brother started tickling me.

    Example

    The wrestler refused to cry uncle despite being held in a painful submission grip for several minutes.

    Usage

    Usually used in the phrase 'cry uncle'.
Word family
  • Noununc
  • Noununcle
Idioms3 entries

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