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.

---

nephew British  

/ ˈnɛf-, ˈnɛvjuː /

noun

1. a son of one's sister or brother

---

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

"It's definitely pretty cool to know that I'll be around," said Heath, his daughter and nephew clinging to his legs.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

On Monday Raúl Castro’s great nephew Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Cuba’s deputy prime minister, announced that Cubans living abroad would be permitted to invest and become owners of businesses on the island.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

I say that on behalf of your aunt, but also for every other vulnerable elderly person who could do with a nephew like you.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

“Adriel had no medical issues that we were aware of, and his passing was unexpected and an absolute shock,” Gutierrez wrote on Facebook, alongside a video memorializing his nephew.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Many months would pass, and countless surgeries on his heart and lungs would be performed, before Shawn and Emily would bring home the little twig of flesh that I was told was my nephew.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

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