tia

Everyday

1. (a name) Tia is a girl's name. tree →
2. (Spanish and Portuguese) Tía (Spanish) and tia (Portuguese) mean aunt; it sounds like TEE-uh to an English ear. It is not an English word. tree →
3. (abbreviation, medicine) TIA stands for transient ischaemic attack, a mini-stroke. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and classes, Tia may be a character's name. In families with Spanish or Portuguese roots, including many Latino families in the USA, children call their aunt Tía, and their uncle Tío. In health, a TIA is a short warning stroke and needs a doctor at once.

Examples

• Tia sits next to me in class. (a name) tree →
• My tía makes the best tamales. (Spanish) tree →
• Tía Rosa is visiting from Mexico. (Spanish) tree →
• Tio and Tia mean uncle and aunt. tree →
• Grandad had a TIA and went to hospital. tree →
• Tia scored the winning goal. (a name) tree →

Note

As a name it takes a capital T. In Spanish it is written tía with an accent. Not an English word. TIA in capitals is a medical abbreviation.