English vocabulary · C1
Avuncular
/əˈvʌŋ.kjʊ.lər/ · adj.
It means warm and kind, like a good uncle.
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Example sentences
- He gave avuncular advice, calm and full of care.
- Her avuncular smile made the child feel safe at once.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- avunculus — uncle (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- warm (affection is friendly and approachable)
- genial (someone is cheerfully pleasant)
- paternal (care is protective like a father's)
Words with the same root
avunculus — uncle
- uncle — a parent's brother — the same Latin root avunculus passed into English via Old French
Lesson notes
Avuncular. It means warm and kind, like a good uncle. You feel safe and cared for around this person.
Similar words are warm, genial, and paternal. Use avuncular when someone older is kind and easy to trust.
He gave avuncular advice, calm and full of care. Her avuncular smile made the child feel safe at once.
From Latin. Avunculus means uncle. A person who feels like a trusted uncle — kind, warm, and safe. That is avuncular.