nephew

[ nef-yooor, especially British, nev-yoo ]

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

/ ˈnɛf-; ˈnɛvjuː /

noun

1. a son of one's sister or brother

Word History and Origins

Origin of nephew¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of nephew¹

C13: from Old French neveu, from Latin nepōs; related to Old English nefa, Old High German nevo relative

Example Sentences

In a statement, Mr McGreanery’s nephew Billy, who was 13 when his uncle was killed, said the family would continue to pursue justice.

From BBC

He was thrown from the vehicle, then run over by it as he tried to stop it from rolling down a hill toward his nephew.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Engonga is a nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema and one of those thought to be hoping to replace him.

From BBC

The past two years have been quite a journey for the nephew of former President John F Kennedy.

From BBC

In January, managers of Prince Legacy filed a new lawsuit alleging that four of Prince’s family members — half sisters Sharon Nelson and Norrine Nelson, Prince’s niece Breanna Nelson and nephew Allen Nelson— improperly attempted to oust the manager from the company, Forbes reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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