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
- avuncularity noun
- avuncularly adverb
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 ( uncle ) + -ar 1
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
Walz is all avuncular, with his can-I-help-shovel-your-walk approachability and good cheer.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2024
Lewin is avuncular without seeming overbearing, which is key in a story about a creepy yet bizarrely clownish killer.
From Salon • Apr. 21, 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.
