great-uncle

American  

[greyt-uhng-kuhl] / ˈgreɪtˌʌŋ kəl /

noun

1. a granduncle.

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great-uncle British  

noun

1. an uncle of one's father or mother; brother of one's grandfather or grandmother

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Compare meaning

How does great-uncle compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• granduncle vs. great-uncle

Example Sentences

So far, "Sinners" is perhaps his most personal project -- sparked by wanting to learn more about a great-uncle who had introduced him to the blues and was from Mississippi.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

My great-uncle, a traditional yellow-dog Democrat who was born during the Depression and named for Franklin Roosevelt, predicted approvingly that Jackson would “light a fire” under the audience.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

He worked as a page for great-uncle Ted Kennedy and family friend John Kerry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

"Our beloved has lost his life calling for change," his great-uncle Saubhagya said.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025

For three days she does not meet her great-uncle.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr