avuncular

[ uh-vuhng-kyuh-ler ]

adjective

1. of or relating to an uncle:

   He spoke of his sister's son with avuncular pride.

2. 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

/ əˈvʌŋkjʊlə /

adjective

1. of or concerned with an uncle
2. resembling an uncle; friendly; helpful

Other Words From

• a·vun·cu·lar·i·ty [uh, -vuhng-ky, uh, -, lar, -i-tee] noun
• a·vun·cu·lar·ly adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of avuncular¹

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

Example Sentences

“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 Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

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 Los Angeles Times

With his political lineage and avuncular, scholarly image, Mr Lee is generally well-liked by Singaporeans.

From BBC