cousin Definition
- 1a child of one's uncle or aunt
- 2a relative descended from one's grandparent or more remote ancestor by two or more steps and in a different line than that of a brother or sister
Using cousin: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cousin" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
My cousin is coming over for dinner tonight.
Example
She has a lot of cousins on her mother's side of the family.
Example
We are second cousins, once removed.
Example
I'm going to visit my cousin in California next month.
cousin Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for cousin
Phrases with cousin
Example
My first cousin and I used to play together all the time when we were kids.
Example
I don't know my second cousins very well, but we see each other at family reunions.
Example
He's my distant cousin, so I don't know him very well.
Origins of cousin
from Old French 'cosin', from Latin 'consobrinus', meaning 'mother's sister's child'
Summary: cousin in Brief
The term 'cousin' [ˈkʌzən] refers to a relative who is the child of one's uncle or aunt, or a relative descended from one's grandparent or more remote ancestor by two or more steps and in a different line than that of a brother or sister. It includes phrases like 'first cousin' and 'second cousin,' denoting the degree of separation, and can be used formally as 'kinsman' or 'relative.'