nephew

American  

[nef-yoo, nev-yoo] / ˈnɛf yu, ˈnɛv yu /

noun

1. a son of one's brother or sister.

2. a son of one's spouse's brother or sister.

3. an illegitimate son of a clergyman who has vowed celibacy (used as a euphemism).

4. Obsolete.  a direct descendant, especially a grandson.

5. Obsolete.  a remote male descendant, as a grandnephew or cousin.

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nephew British  

/ ˈnɛf-, ˈnɛvjuː /

noun

1. a son of one's sister or brother

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Etymology

Origin of nephew

1250–1300; Middle English neveu < Old French < Latin nepōtem, accusative of nepōs nephew, grandson; akin to Old English nefa, Dutch neef, German Neffe, Old Norse nefi; the pseudo-etymological spelling with ph has influenced pronunciation

Example Sentences

In the since-deleted clip for musician Keli Holiday's new song, Ecstasy, Blue Wiggle Anthony Field and his nephew Dominic Field, who plays the Tree of Wisdom, could be seen dancing in the background.

From BBC

“If you’re not sure what to buy your 10-year-old nephew who loves animals, give some prompts to an AI chat and get some inspiration,” she said.

From MarketWatch

Stein is survived by his wife, son Gary Stein, daughter Darolyn Bellemeur, and their spouses, children and grandchildren, his brother Ira Stein, a nephew, cousins as well as Connie Stein’s children and grandchildren.

From Los Angeles Times

She expects to spend the most on her nieces and nephews.

From The Wall Street Journal

Guinean singer Elie Kamano, who lives in exile, said on social media Sunday that two of his children, age 14 and 16, plus a 16-year-old nephew and his brother, a gendarme, had been abducted.

From Barron's

Related Words

• aunt
• cousin
• father
• folk
• mother
• niece
• sibling
• uncle