maternal uncle

USAGE SUMMARY

"maternal uncle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to the brother of one's mother. For example: "My maternal uncle always brings me a gift when he visits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rabbi Gerald Sussman, the groom's maternal uncle, is to officiate.

The New York Times

His maternal uncle was searching for him and found him in the camp and raised him.

Stanford University

[avus; cf. Lith. avynas, uncle], a mother's brother, maternal uncle (a brother of the father, patruus).

Harvard University

Meanwhile, Gayatri's maternal uncle got a job in Calcutta and moved over there.

Stanford University

Their maternal uncle had been treasurer of Kumbum, the great monastery Mr. Norbu would lead.

The New York Times

An eight-year-old girl was raped by her maternal uncle in Saharanpur, Utter Pradesh.

Independent

It formed part of the trousseau presented by the bride's maternal uncle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hamad was brought up not by al-Thanis but in the house of his maternal uncle, an Attiyah.

The Guardian

His maternal uncle on his mother Marcelle's side was the dance-band saxophonist and bandleader Jacques Hélian.

The Guardian - Music

Shortly after the war the wife, son and daughter of a maternal uncle were massacred by Unionist miscreants.

The New York Times - Arts

"From the rooftop, we saw the tower collapsing and immediately rushed here because our maternal uncle lives here," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is needed in legal or genealogical contexts, using "maternal uncle" clarifies the family lineage, avoiding ambiguity compared to simply saying "uncle".

Common error

Be careful to specify "maternal uncle" when referring to your mother's brother. Failing to do so might lead to confusion with your father's brother (your paternal uncle).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maternal uncle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific familial relationship. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Academia

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maternal uncle" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase to denote the brother of one's mother. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts. Its purpose is to specify a familial relationship, avoiding ambiguity, and is suitable for both formal and informal settings. While alternatives like "mother's brother" exist, "maternal uncle" offers a concise and widely understood way to express this specific family connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mother's brother

More explicit description of the relationship, focusing on direct lineage.

uncle on my mother's side

Emphasizes the maternal side of the family.

mother's sibling

More generic term for a sibling of the mother.

relative on my mother's side

Very broad term including anyone from mother's family.

my mother's relative

Similar to 'relative on my mother's side', but with slight difference in word ordering.

avunculus

Latin term for maternal uncle; suitable for formal or academic contexts.

mother's eldest brother

Specifies the uncle's birth order within the mother's family.

male relative on my mother's side

Highlights the gender and maternal link, removing ambiguity.

aunt's husband

Focuses on the relationship through the aunt, useful if that connection is more relevant.

great uncle

Refers to the brother of one's grandmother.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "maternal uncle" in a sentence?

Use "maternal uncle" when you need to specifically identify the brother of your mother. For example: "My "maternal uncle" always tells the best stories".

What is the difference between a "maternal uncle" and a paternal uncle?

A "maternal uncle" is the brother of your mother, while a paternal uncle is the brother of your father. The terms help distinguish which side of the family the uncle is on.

Are there any alternative phrases I can use instead of "maternal uncle"?

Yes, you can use "mother's brother" or "uncle on my mother's side" to convey the same meaning.

Is it acceptable to simply say "uncle" instead of "maternal uncle"?

While "uncle" is often sufficient in casual conversation, specifying "maternal uncle" provides clarity when the distinction between family lines is important or relevant.