avuncular

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“
How reassuring to be told by one's smiling, hooded, middleaged woman caddy that one's drive is "safe-o" — that is, not unfindable; or that one's next shot will require a

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. adjective Of or having to do with an uncle.
  2. adjective Regarded as characteristic of an uncle, especially in benevolence or tolerance.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (1)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (2)

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Examples

  • How reassuring to be told by one's smiling, hooded, middleaged woman caddy that one's drive is "safe-o" — that is, not unfindable; or that one's next shot will require a —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol XV No 1
  • Patty Bancroft used to talk about how her husband had been two men, really, one mild and avuncular, the other a purple-faced monster. —  Black and Blue
  • However, for some reason she took an avuncular (yes, that is definitely the right word) interest in Hercules, and called to see him almost every week-end. —  Of Time and Stars
  • Presiding over the ritual was Henry, a large and magnificent figure, a ripe fifty, avuncular, sympathetic, and with the courtly manners of that long vanished species: the perfect butler. —  At Bertram's Hotel
  • No, decidedly, avuncular wasn't the right word. —  Curtains for the editor
 

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Avuncular has been looked up 634 times, favorited 8 times, listed 146 times, and commented on 5 times.

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. From Latin avunculus, maternal uncle; see awo- in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Latin avunculus, uncle, diminutive of avus, grandfather: see uncle.
 

Pronunciations
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/æˈvəŋkjulər/
by American Heritage

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