DictionaryAI

aunt

noun
AHNT/ɑːnt/

Pluralaunts

4 meanings of aunt

Practice

  1. 1
    parent's sisternouncountable
    The sister of your mother or father, your uncle's wife, or sometimes a parent's female cousin or cousin's wife.

    My aunt always brings cookies when she visits.

    Both of my aunts live in the same town.

    UsageWrite Aunt Sarah as a name, but my aunt Sarah. Children often say auntie.

    Note
  2. 2
    honorary relativenounendearingcountable
    A grown-up friend of the family that children call aunt, even though she is not a real relative.

    Like a close family friend who feels just like a real relative.

    She isn't a real relative, but every child on the street calls her their aunt.

    My mother's best friend has been an aunt to me my whole life.

  3. 3
    nounobsolete
    An old woman, related to you or not.
    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    nounobsolete
    A woman who gets women to sell sex, or who runs a house where sex is sold.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin "amita," meaning "father's sister," which reached English through Old French and Anglo-Norman.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts