grandaunt

noun

grand·​aunt ˈgrand-ˈant How to pronounce grandaunt (audio)
-ˈänt
: the aunt of one's father or mother

called also great-aunt

Examples of grandaunt in a Sentence

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.
There, under the tutelage of a maternal grandaunt, she was taught ancient Irish ways of life known as the Brehon laws. — New York Times, 24 Feb. 2022 Burns is one of many black people who, in addition to biological mothers, have aunts, grandaunts, or other women who have played a hand in their upbringing. — Brandon T. Harden, Philly.com, 11 May 2018 Initially, the group was run by advisors handpicked by Birla’s grandaunt, Priyamvada Birla. — Sangeeta Tanwar, Quartz India, 17 June 2019 Like an old soul born to be a star, Eric loved to entertain and bring smiles to everyone around him – and always found an adoring audience in his family, said Mary Joseph, Eric’s grandaunt. — Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 9 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grandaunt was in 1675

Rhymes for grandaunt

See All Rhymes for grandaunt

Browse Nearby Words

grandam
grandaunt
grandbaby
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grandaunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grandaunt. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

grandaunt

noun
grand·​aunt ˈgran-ˈdant How to pronounce grandaunt (audio)
-ˈdȧnt
: an aunt of one's father or mother
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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