cousin

¹ American  

[kuhz-uhn] / ˈkʌz ən /

noun

1. Also called full cousin.  Also called first cousin.  the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.

2. one related by descent in a diverging line from a known common ancestor, as from one's grandparent or from one's father's or mother's sister or brother.

3. a kinsman or kinswoman; relative.

4. a person or thing related to another by similar natures, languages, geographical proximity, etc..

   Our Canadian cousins are a friendly people.

5. Slang. a gullible, innocent person who is easily duped or taken advantage of.

6. a term of address used by a sovereign in speaking, writing, or referring to another sovereign or a high-ranking noble.

---

Cousin ² American  

[koo-zan] / kuˈzɛ̃ /

noun

1. Victor 1792–1867, French philosopher and educational reformer: founder of the method of eclecticism in French philosophy.

---

cousin ¹ British  

/ ˈkʌzən /

noun

1. Also called: first cousin.   cousin-german.   full cousin.  the child of one's aunt or uncle

2. a relative who has descended from one of one's common ancestors. A person's second cousin is the child of one of his parents' first cousins. A person's third cousin is the child of one of his parents' second cousins. A first cousin once removed (or loosely second cousin ) is the child of one's first cousin

3. a member of a group related by race, ancestry, interests, etc

   our Australian cousins

4. a title used by a sovereign when addressing another sovereign or a nobleman

---

Cousin ² British  

/ kuzɛ̃ /

noun

1. Victor (viktɔr). 1792–1867, French philosopher and educational reformer

---

cousin Idioms  

1. see country cousin; first cousin; kissing cousins; second cousin.

---

Other Word Forms

• cousinage noun
• cousinhood noun
• cousinly adjective
• cousinship noun

Etymology

Origin of cousin

1250–1300; Middle English cosin < Anglo-French co ( u ) sin, Old French cosin < Latin consōbrīnus cousin (properly, son of one's mother's sister), equivalent to con- con- + sōbrīnus second cousin (presumably originally “pertaining to the sister”) < *swesrīnos, equivalent to *swesr-, gradational variant of *swesōr (> soror sister ) + *-īnos -ine ¹; for -sr- > -br- December

Example Sentences

With him was 35-year-old Hani, a technically minded cousin who spearheaded the effort to understand how the abduction took place, and who gave only his first name to avoid reprisals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

“When we saw the Voxy on camera, we knew it had to be a security service. They’re the ones who use those type of vans,” said Raafat Al-Saadi, Ashaal’s cousin.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Finckenstein had learned that a female cousin of his had joined Ebel’s parish.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"He couldn't walk down the street without everybody getting hold of him and wanting to take him in the pub," says his cousin, Rosemary Elmore.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

I then give my cousin the all-important job of decorating Pierre’s home.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• relative