aunty

Everyday

1. (informal) Aunty is a friendly name for an aunt: your mother's or father's sister, or your uncle's wife. tree →
2. (informal, many cultures, e.g. Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, South Asian and Pacific families) Aunty is a respectful name for an older woman who is a family friend or an elder, not a real relative. tree →
3. (UK, informal) "Auntie" (with a capital A) is a nickname for the BBC. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and everyday life children call aunts "Aunty Sue". In maths family problems, an aunt's children are your cousins. In Aboriginal Australian and Māori communities, "Aunty" is a title of respect for a female elder. Phrases: Aunty Mary, my aunty.

Examples

• Aunty Jo is coming for tea. tree →
• My aunty gave me a book for my birthday. tree →
• I have three aunties on my mum's side. tree →
• Aunty Pat lives in New Zealand. tree →
• We listened to Aunty, a respected elder, tell the story. tree →
• Aunty Kim isn't really my aunt; she is mum's best friend. tree →
• "Aunty," said the Raja's son, "why don't you light a lamp?" tree →

Note

Spelt aunty or auntie; plural aunties. Aunt is the formal word. Pronounced "AHN-tee" in the UK and Australia, "ANT-ee" in much of the USA. The male word is uncle.