1
: the sister of one's father or mother
2
: the wife of one's uncle or aunt
aunthood
ˈant-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈänt-
noun
auntlike
ˈant-ˌlīk How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈänt-
adjective
auntly adjective

Examples of aunt in a Sentence

He has three aunts and two uncles. This is my Aunt Mary.
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.
The county asked Bonner’s aunt to withdraw an open records request for her autopsy report in September. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2025 Serena scoffs at the aunt’s quoting of Jane Austen, but her face indicates that she’s had similar thoughts. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Apr. 2025 The Vermont resident maintained his innocence until his death at age 29, in spite of damning allegations from his three maternal aunts, as well as police and prosecutors. Kc Baker, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025 The romantic tension ramps up in the film when Elizabeth travels with her aunt and uncle to Pemberley, Darcy’s estate. Abigail Lee, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aunt

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French ante, from Latin amita; akin to Old High German amma mother, nurse, Greek amma nurse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aunt was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aunt. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

aunt

noun
ˈant How to pronounce aunt (audio)
ˈȧnt
1
: the sister of one's father or mother
2
: the wife of one's uncle or aunt

More from Merriam-Webster on aunt

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