English

Adjective

avuncular ‎(comparative more avuncular, superlative most avuncular)

1. In the manner of an uncle, pertaining to an uncle.
   • 1997, David Nokes, Jane Austen: A Life:

     Both uncle Frank and uncle Stephen Austen had made it a point of principle to be rigorously unsentimental in the discharge of their avuncular obligations.

2. (by extension) Kind, genial, benevolent, or tolerant.
   • 2003, Vicki Croke, "New leader of the MSPCA moves to tame budget woes," Boston Globe, September 20:

     Thornton's reputation was that of a soft-hearted and avuncular veterinarian known for getting teary-eyed while listening to even slightly sentimental stories.

   • 1987, William Schneider, "The New Shape of American Politics," The Atlantic, January:

     A man with such a nice, avuncular personality would not blow up the world.

Derived terms

• avuncularity
• avuncularly

Coordinate terms

• maternal – mother
• materteral – aunt
• paternal – father

Translations