avuncular

[uh-vuhng-kyuh-ler]

adjective

1. of or relating to an uncle.

   He spoke of his sister's son with avuncular pride.

2. acting like an uncle, as in being kind, patient, generous, etc., especially to younger people.

   the avuncular, slightly condescending boss of a toy company.

avuncular

/ əˈvʌŋkjʊlə /

adjective

1. of or concerned with an uncle

2. resembling an uncle; friendly; helpful

Other Word Forms

• avuncularity noun
• avuncularly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of avuncular¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin avuncul(us) “a mother's brother,” equivalent to av(us) “a forefather” + unattested -ont- + unattested -l(os) diminutive suffix ( uncle ) + -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of avuncular¹

C19: from Latin avunculus (maternal) uncle, diminutive of avus grandfather

Example Sentences

That is why producers like Moritz work to land them far in advance and why Gelfond has transformed from an avuncular dealmaker into one of Hollywood’s most sought-after arbiters of power.

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Her Bertha is the kindly, nurturing counterweight to Seth’s badgering boisterousness, a quality Morris infuses with just enough avuncular affection.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A bearded, avuncular figure who was serving as New Labour's first health secretary, he was 'persuaded' to stand against his old comrade Ken.

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“Precise and circumspect, with an avuncular demeanor and an authoritative voice .... Summerall indulged his partner’s many appetites and asides, even when that meant being elbowed aside at the mike and in the limelight.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After Ernst arranges the meeting with Disney, Marks pencils in a toothbrush mustache and transforms himself into a creepily avuncular version of the character, whose Midwestern niceness becomes menacing when his business interests are threatened.

Read more on Los Angeles Times