aunt
ahnt
Aunt (noun) means the sister of one's mother or father, or the wife of one's uncle. Example: “My aunt lives next door and bakes a cake every Sunday.”
noun
1
The sister of one's mother or father, or the wife of one's uncle.
"My aunt lives next door and bakes a cake every Sunday."
"My aunt used to take me to the seaside every summer."
"She's not a blood relative — she's my uncle's wife, so she's my aunt by marriage."
2
An older woman treated as part of the family even though she isn't a relative, out of affection and respect.
"Everyone in the street calls the kind old neighbour Aunt Jean, though she has no family here."
"The children adore their auntie from church, who knits them scarves every winter."
"The kids call her "Auntie" even though she's just their mum's best friend."
How to use aunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishYour parent's sister, or your uncle's wife — and informally, any older woman close to the family.
Common pairings
my aunt
aunt and uncle
aunt's house
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Word forms
- Plural
- aunts
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My _____ lives next door and bakes a cake every Sunday.
Etymology
From Old French ante, going back to Latin amita ("father's sister"). It replaced an older English word for aunt that came from "mother."
Related words
Rhymes for aunt
See all rhymes for aunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “aunt” mean?
The word “aunt” means the sister of one's mother or father, or the wife of one's uncle. In plain terms, your parent's sister, or your uncle's wife — and informally, any older woman close to the family.
How do you pronounce “aunt”?
“Aunt” is pronounced ahnt (/ɑːnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “aunt” in a sentence?
Here is “aunt” used in a sentence: “My aunt used to take me to the seaside every summer.”
What is another word for “aunt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “aunt” include auntie, aunty, auntyji and naunt.
What is the opposite of “aunt”?
The opposite of “aunt” — its antonyms — are uncle, nephew and niece.
What part of speech is “aunt”?
“Aunt” is a noun.
Where does the word “aunt” come from?
The word “aunt” comes from Latin. From Old French ante, going back to Latin amita ("father's sister"). It replaced an older English word for aunt that came from "mother.".
Is “aunt” a common word?
“Aunt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between an "aunt" and a "great-aunt"?
An aunt is the sister of your mother or father, or the wife of your uncle. A great-aunt is one generation further back, being the sister of your grandmother or grandfather.
What is the difference between "aunt" and "auntie"?
Both refer to the same relative, but "auntie" (also spelled "aunty") is an affectionate, informal form used mainly by children or in warm family speech. "Aunt" is the neutral, standard term.
Can you call someone "aunt" if they are not a blood relative?
Yes. Besides meaning the sister of a parent, "aunt" is also used for an older woman treated as part of the family out of affection and respect, even when she is not actually related.
What is the difference between an "aunt" and an "uncle"?
An aunt is a female relative, being the sister of a parent or the wife of an uncle, while an uncle is the corresponding male relative, being the brother of a parent or the husband of an aunt.
