aunt

1 of 2

noun

ˈant How to pronounce aunt (audio) ˈänt How to pronounce aunt (audio)
1
: the sister of one's father or mother
2
: the wife of one's uncle or aunt
aunthood
ˈant-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈänt-
noun
auntlike
ˈant-ˌlīk How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈänt-
adjective
auntly adjective

auntly

2 of 2

adjective

aunt·​ly
ˈant-lē, 
ˈänt-
sometimes -er/-est
: of, relating to, or suggesting an aunt
telephones her … nearly every day with auntly advice—Newsweek

Examples of aunt in a Sentence

Noun He has three aunts and two uncles. This is my Aunt Mary.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Swift’s aunt Robin Gentry was one of the first guests to share her thoughts. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 July 2026 Her grandma, mom and aunts made this broccoli and cauliflower salad long before Hill was born. — Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 Rhaenyra’s aunt, Rhaenys, is slain in the fight, and Aegon is mutilated, his own dragon left for dead on the field. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Just days later Swift is back at Arrowhead with her mom, brother and two aunts to watch the Chiefs’ second game of the new season. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aunt

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old French ante, from Latin amita; akin to Old High German amma mother, nurse, Greek amma nurse

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aunt was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing aunt

Rhymes for aunt

See All Rhymes for aunt

Browse Nearby Words

Aunjetitz
aunt
auntie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aunt. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aunt

noun
ˈant How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈȧnt
1
: the sister of one's father or mother
2
: the wife of one's uncle or aunt

More from Merriam-Webster on aunt

Nglish: Translation of aunt for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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