A1 noun Neutral #1,138 most common

niece

/niːs/

A niece is the daughter of your brother or sister. It also refers to the daughter of your husband's or wife's brother or sister.

Examples

3 of 5
1

My niece is five years old and she loves drawing pictures of cats.

My niece is five years old and she loves drawing pictures of cats.

2

The estate was distributed among the deceased's surviving niece and two nephews.

The estate was distributed among the deceased's surviving niece and two nephews.

3

I'm hanging out with my niece this weekend; we're going to the cinema.

I'm hanging out with my niece this weekend; we're going to the cinema.

Word Family

Noun
niece
Related
nephew
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'nie' in 'niece' and 'ni' in 'nice'. My niece is a nice girl!

Quick Quiz

My brother has a daughter. She is my _______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: niece

Examples

1

My niece is five years old and she loves drawing pictures of cats.

everyday

My niece is five years old and she loves drawing pictures of cats.

2

The estate was distributed among the deceased's surviving niece and two nephews.

formal

The estate was distributed among the deceased's surviving niece and two nephews.

3

I'm hanging out with my niece this weekend; we're going to the cinema.

informal

I'm hanging out with my niece this weekend; we're going to the cinema.

4

The psychological development of the niece-aunt relationship is often overlooked in family studies.

academic

The psychological development of the niece-aunt relationship is often overlooked in family studies.

5

I am taking a few days of leave to attend my niece's wedding in Italy.

business

I am taking a few days of leave to attend my niece's wedding in Italy.

Word Family

Noun
niece
Related
nephew

Common Collocations

favorite niece favorite niece
newborn niece newborn niece
niece by marriage niece by marriage
great-niece great-niece
eldest niece eldest niece

Common Phrases

nieces and nephews

nieces and nephews

great-niece

great-niece

niece-in-law

niece-in-law

Often Confused With

niece vs nephew

A niece is female, while a nephew is male.

niece vs nice

'Nice' is an adjective meaning pleasant, while 'niece' is a family noun.

📝

Usage Notes

Use this word specifically for a female child of a sibling. If the child is male, the correct term is 'nephew'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse the spelling of 'niece' with 'nice' or 'neice'. Remember: 'i' before 'e' except after 'c'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'nie' in 'niece' and 'ni' in 'nice'. My niece is a nice girl!

📖

Word Origin

From Old French 'niece', derived from Latin 'neptis', meaning granddaughter or niece.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one niece, two nieces Possessive: my niece's toy Gender-specific: female only
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, aunts and uncles often play a supportive, 'mentor' role for their nieces.

Quick Quiz

My brother has a daughter. She is my _______.

Correct!

The correct answer is: niece

Related Grammar Rules

More Family words

father

A1

A father is a male parent of a child. This term describes both the biological relationship and the social role of a man who raises and cares for his children.

dad

A1

An informal and affectionate name for a father, used primarily by children or within a family context. It refers to a male parent who provides care and support for his offspring.

mother

A1

A female parent who has given birth to or raised a child. It is also used more broadly to describe a woman who provides care, protection, and support to another person.

son

A1

A male child or man in relation to his parents. It is a fundamental kinship term used to describe a direct male descendant in a family.

child

A1

A young human being below the age of puberty or the legal age of majority. It can also refer to a son or daughter of any age in relation to their parents.

sister

A1

A sister is a girl or woman who shares the same parents as another person. It can also refer to a woman who shares one parent or someone who is very close like a family member.

twin

A1

A twin is one of two children born at the same time to the same mother. It can also refer to one of two things that are exactly the same or very similar.

baby

A1

A baby is a very young human being, typically from birth until they start to walk. It is a general term for an infant who requires complete care and attention from adults.

toddler

A1

A young child who is just beginning to walk, typically between the ages of one and three. This term describes the developmental stage between infancy and the start of preschool.

adult

A1

A person who is fully grown and developed, typically someone who is 18 years of age or older. It is used to distinguish a mature individual from a child or a teenager.

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