aunt
The sister of one's father or mother, or the wife of one's uncle. It is a kinship term used to describe a female member of the extended family.
Examples
3 of 5My aunt Sarah is visiting us for dinner tonight.
My aunt Sarah is visiting us for dinner tonight.
The estate was bequeathed to his surviving aunt.
The estate was bequeathed to his surviving aunt.
I'm going to the movies with my favorite auntie.
I'm going to the movies with my favorite auntie.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'u' in 'aunt' standing for 'under'—she is a person you look up to, just under your parents in the family tree.
Quick Quiz
My mother's sister is my ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: aunt
Examples
My aunt Sarah is visiting us for dinner tonight.
everydayMy aunt Sarah is visiting us for dinner tonight.
The estate was bequeathed to his surviving aunt.
formalThe estate was bequeathed to his surviving aunt.
I'm going to the movies with my favorite auntie.
informalI'm going to the movies with my favorite auntie.
Kinship studies examine the social role of the maternal aunt in tribal societies.
academicKinship studies examine the social role of the maternal aunt in tribal societies.
I am requesting a day off to attend my aunt's wedding.
businessI am requesting a day off to attend my aunt's wedding.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Great-aunt
The sister of one's grandparent
Agony aunt
A person who writes an advice column in a magazine or newspaper
Aunt Sally
A person or idea that is set up to be easily criticized (British idiom)
Often Confused With
An 'ant' is a small insect, while an 'aunt' is a family member; they are homophones in some dialects.
An 'uncle' is the male equivalent (brother of a parent).
Usage Notes
When 'Aunt' is used as a title before a name (e.g., Aunt Mary), it should be capitalized. In informal contexts, 'auntie' is very common, especially for children.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the pronunciation with 'ant' or forget the possessive apostrophe in phrases like 'my aunt's house'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'u' in 'aunt' standing for 'under'—she is a person you look up to, just under your parents in the family tree.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'ante', which comes from the Latin 'amita', meaning paternal aunt.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, including parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, 'aunt' is used as a respectful title for any older woman, regardless of blood relation.
Quick Quiz
My mother's sister is my ______.
Correct!
The correct answer is: aunt
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
A nephew is the son of a person's brother or sister. It can...
cousinA cousin is the child of your aunt or uncle. It is a family...
grandmotherA grandmother is the mother of a person's father or mother....
uncleAn uncle is the brother of one's father or mother, or the hu...
nieceA niece is the daughter of your brother or sister. It also r...
More Family words
mom
A1A mom is a female parent who cares for and raises her children. It is a warm and informal name used to call or talk about one's mother.
daughter
A1A daughter is a female child or person in relation to her parents. It refers to the biological or legal relationship of a girl or woman to her mother and father.
sibling
A1A sibling is a brother or a sister. It is a general word used to describe people who have the same parents, regardless of their gender.
teenager
A1A teenager is a young person between the ages of 13 and 19. This term is used to describe the period of life when a person is no longer a child but not yet a full adult.
husband
A1A husband is a married man in relation to his spouse. It is a term used to describe a male partner in a marriage or a legally recognized union.
grandmother
A1A grandmother is the mother of a person's father or mother. She is a female ancestor who is two generations older than the person.
grandparent
A1A grandparent is the parent of one's father or mother. It is a general term that refers to either a grandfather or a grandmother within a family structure.
grandson
A1A grandson is the son of one's son or daughter. It is a term used to describe a male child in relation to his grandparents.
granddaughter
A1A granddaughter is the daughter of a person's son or daughter. It describes the relationship between a female child and her grandparents.
grandchild
A1A grandchild is the child of one's son or daughter. It represents the second generation of descendants after one's own children.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free