niece

noun

ˈnēs How to pronounce niece (audio)
plural nieces
: a daughter of one's brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law

Examples of niece in a Sentence

If he's my uncle, then I'm his niece.
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.
Some of Stamos other works have included portraits of Jamie Lee Curtis and his niece, paintings of humming birds, and his take on the Palace of Versailles. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 More recently, Julia was present for Emma’s big day on July 25, 2026, stepping out in Sun Valley with husband Danny Moder and her three children to attend her niece’s wedding. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 July 2026 Ema, who can see and hear the dead, receives an unexpected visit from her niece Julie, who shares the same unsettling gift. — John Hopewell, Variety, 28 July 2026 He is survived by his two stepdaughters, his father, his sister, his brother, three nephews, one niece, and one great-nephew. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for niece

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nece granddaughter, niece, from Anglo-French nece, niece, from Late Latin neptia, from Latin neptis; akin to Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew — more at nephew

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing niece

Rhymes for niece

See All Rhymes for niece

Browse Nearby Words

Niebuhr
niece
nieceless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Niece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niece. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

niece

noun
ˈnēs How to pronounce niece (audio)
: a daughter of one's brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law

More from Merriam-Webster on niece

Nglish: Translation of niece for Spanish Speakers

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