great-aunt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal and informal family contexts.
Quick answer
What does “great-aunt” mean?
The sister of one's grandparent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The sister of one's grandparent.
A term used for a woman who is the aunt of one's parent, i.e., a sibling of a grandparent. Also used in extended or honorary contexts for a close elderly family friend.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: Both 'great-aunt' and 'great aunt' are found. The hyphenated form is slightly more formal. No significant lexical difference.
Connotations
Neutral in both; denotes respect and family connection. Slightly old-fashioned, as 'grandaunt' is an archaic alternative.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties in formal genealogy and family discourse. Informal terms like 'Aunt [Name]' often replace the title.
Grammar
How to Use “great-aunt” in a Sentence
[Possessive] + great-auntGreat-aunt + [of + pronoun]Great-aunt + [to + person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, genealogical, or anthropological texts discussing family structures.
Everyday
Common in family conversations, stories, obituaries, and when explaining family trees.
Technical
Precise term in genealogy and legal documents concerning inheritance or kinship.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great-aunt”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great-aunt”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great-aunt”
- Using 'grandaunt' in modern conversation (archaic).
- Confusing 'great-aunt' with 'aunt-in-law'.
- Omitting the hyphen where it causes confusion (e.g., 'a great aunt' vs. 'a great-aunt').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An aunt is the sister of your parent. A great-aunt is the sister of your grandparent, making her one generation older than your aunt.
Yes, 'great aunt' is an accepted spelling, but the hyphenated form 'great-aunt' is often preferred for clarity to distinguish from 'a great aunt' (meaning a wonderful aunt).
'Grandaunt' is an older, now archaic term that means the same thing. 'Great-aunt' is the standard modern term.
He is your great-uncle.
The sister of one's grandparent.
Great-aunt is usually formal and informal family contexts. in register.
Great-aunt: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈɑːnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈænt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GREAT' as in 'grand' + 'AUNT' = an aunt from your grandparents' generation.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY TREE IS A HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE (where 'great-' adds a level).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct definition of 'great-aunt'?