great-nephew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral; common in genealogical, legal, and family contexts.
Quick answer
What does “great-nephew” mean?
The son of one's nephew or niece.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The son of one's nephew or niece; the grandson of one's sibling.
A male relative descended from a sibling, separated by two generations. Also used to denote a male grandchild of one's own nephew or niece, extending the family lineage description. In legal contexts, may be relevant in matters of inheritance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Both varieties use the hyphenated form 'great-nephew'. The unhyphenated 'great nephew' is less common but occasionally seen.
Connotations
Neutral family descriptor in both varieties. Slightly formal, but not archaic.
Frequency
Low to moderate frequency in both, appearing primarily in specific family, legal, or historical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “great-nephew” in a Sentence
[possessive pronoun] + great-nephew[person's name] + 's + great-nephewgreat-nephew + of + [person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of family businesses, trusts, or inheritance planning.
Academic
Used in historical, genealogical, sociological, or anthropological texts discussing kinship systems.
Everyday
Used in family conversations, announcements, or when explaining family relationships.
Technical
Standard term in legal documents (wills, trusts) and formal genealogy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great-nephew”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great-nephew”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great-nephew”
- Writing as one word 'greatnephew' (should be hyphenated).
- Confusing with 'grandnephew' (a synonym, but less common).
- Using 'great nephew' without a hyphen can sometimes cause momentary ambiguity (e.g., 'a great nephew' vs. 'a great-nephew').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'grandnephew' is a synonym for 'great-nephew', though 'great-nephew' is more commonly used in modern English.
Two generations. You are of the same generation as his grandparent (your sibling).
The female equivalent is 'great-niece'.
No. 'Great-nephew' specifically refers to the son of one's own nephew or niece. The grandson of one's cousin would be a 'first cousin twice removed' or, more informally, a 'second great-nephew' is not a standard term.
The son of one's nephew or niece.
Great-nephew is usually formal to neutral; common in genealogical, legal, and family contexts. in register.
Great-nephew: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈnef.juː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈnef.juː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Great' adds a generation. Your nephew's son is a GREAT addition to the family tree.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY TREE AS A HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE (branching downwards).
Practice
Quiz
What is the relationship of a man to his great-nephew's father?