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avuncular

[uh-vuhng-kyuh-ler]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or relating to an uncle.
He spoke of his sister's son with avuncular pride.
acting like an uncle, as in being kind, patient, generous, etc., especially to younger people.
the avuncular, slightly condescending boss of a toy company.

avuncular

/ əˈ��ʌŋ��ʊ��ə /

adjective

of or concerned with an uncle
resembling an uncle; friendly; helpful

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Other Word Forms

avuncularity noun
avuncularly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of avuncular¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of avuncular¹

C19: from Latin avunculus (maternal) uncle, diminutive of avus grandfather

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A bearded, avuncular figure who was serving as New Labour's first health secretary, he was 'persuaded' to stand against his old comrade Ken.

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“Precise and circumspect, with an avuncular demeanor and an authoritative voice .... Summerall indulged his partner’s many appetites and asides, even when that meant being elbowed aside at the mike and in the limelight.”

From

After Ernst arranges the meeting with Disney, Marks pencils in a toothbrush mustache and transforms himself into a creepily avuncular version of the character, whose Midwestern niceness becomes menacing when his business interests are threatened.

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Since the late '90s Brady has been the guy you picture when you think “avuncular TV guest star or host.”

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The avuncular host has joked that he spent 40 years doing “a part-time job pretending it was full-time,” given how the show’s shooting schedule has allowed him to tape several episodes at a time.

From

avulsion avunculate

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