French word

oncle

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔ̃kl/

Meaning

  • masculine noununcle

Example

Mon oncle habite près de chez nous.

My uncle lives near our house.

Illustration for oncle (uncle)

More examples

Je demande conseil à mon oncle quand j'ai un problème.

I ask my uncle for advice when I have a problem.

Core concept

A male family link one generation above a child, whether created by birth or by marriage.

Common phrases

  • demander conseil à son oncle

    ask one's uncle for advice

  • faire confiance à son oncle

    trust one's uncle

  • présenter son oncle à des amis

    introduce one's uncle to friends

Similar words

tonton: An affectionate, informal way to address or refer to an uncle.
père: A person's male parent.
frère: A male sibling who shares the same parents.
grand-père: A person's mother's or father's father.

Definition in French

Terme désignant un homme lié à une famille par le sang ou le mariage, le plus souvent le frère d'un parent.

Word origin

The French noun oncle is inherited through Old French from Latin avunculus, with the historical form changing over time.

Usage tips

  • French does not mark the father's and mother's sides in oncle; oncle paternel and oncle maternel specify the side when needed.

Word lists with this word