Aunt – Definition & Meaning

An aunt is a female relative who is either a sister of one’s parent or the wife of one’s uncle. Aunts play an important role in many families, providing guidance, support, and love to their nieces and nephews. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of the word “aunt.”

Definitions

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an aunt is “the sister of one’s father or mother or the wife of one’s uncle.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines an aunt as “the sister of one’s father or mother, or the wife of one’s uncle.” The Cambridge English Dictionary defines an aunt as “the sister of someone’s mother or father, or the wife of someone’s uncle.”

Origin

The word “aunt” comes from the Old French word “ante,” which means “paternal aunt.” The word was later adopted into Middle English as “aunte” and then into Modern English as “aunt.”

Meaning in different dictionaries

The meaning of the word “aunt” is generally consistent across different dictionaries. It refers to a female relative who is either a sister of one’s parent or the wife of one’s uncle.

Associations

Aunts are often associated with nurturing, caring, and supportive behavior towards their nieces and nephews. They are also associated with family gatherings, holidays, and traditions.

Synonyms

Synonyms for aunt include “auntie,” “aunty,” “tia” (in Spanish), “zia” (in Italian), and “tantie” (in Dutch).

Antonyms

Antonyms for aunt include “uncle,” “nephew,” and “niece.”

The same root words

The word “aunt” has no root words, but it is derived from the Old French word “ante.”

Example Sentences

1. My aunt is coming to visit us next week.
2. I love spending time with my aunt because she always makes me feel special.
3. My aunt and uncle live in a beautiful house by the lake.
4. When I was a child, my aunt used to take me to the park every Saturday.
5. My aunt gave me some great advice about how to handle a difficult situation.
6. I have two aunts on my mother’s side and one aunt on my father’s side.
7. My aunt is a fantastic cook and always makes the best meals for our family gatherings.