avuncular
Americanadjective
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of or relating to an uncle.
He spoke of his sister's son with avuncular pride.
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acting like an uncle, as in being kind, patient, generous, etc., especially to younger people.
the avuncular, slightly condescending boss of a toy company.
adjective
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of or concerned with an uncle
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resembling an uncle; friendly; helpful
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of avuncular
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 ( cf. uncle) + -ar 1
Explanation
Everyone likes an avuncular guy, that is someone who is kind and patient and generally indulgent with people younger than he is. The Dalai Lama is an avuncular fellow. So is Santa Claus. Unless you haven't been good. The word avuncular originally comes from the Latin avunculus, meaning "maternal uncle," and strictly speaking the term describes the relationship between an uncle and his nephew. Uncles, by their very definition, are supposed to be avuncular to their nephews. For many uncles though, Santa Claus is pretty hard to compete with.
Vocabulary lists containing avuncular
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At an appearance at the University of Mannheim in southwest Germany, Breuer, in his gray-jacketed dress uniform, sprang from his chair, transforming what had been an avuncular presence into one of studied intensity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026
She finds help in the avuncular Rabbi Meyer, who steps in as her guardian and advises, “you must learn how to act according to what people say and do, not what they wish or fear.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
A bearded, avuncular figure who was serving as New Labour's first health secretary, he was 'persuaded' to stand against his old comrade Ken.
From BBC • May 7, 2025
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.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2024
“Afternoon, young man,” he said, with an avuncular chuckle, as he passed Shadow.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
