nephew

IPA/ˈnefjuː/
KK[nˈɛfju]IPA/ˈnefjuː/

nephew — noun

  • nephewsingular
  • nephewsplural

1. A nephew is a boy or man who is the son of one of your siblings, or the son of o

1.nounA2
Definition

A nephew is a boy or man who is the son of one of your siblings, or the son of one of your spouse's siblings.

Example

My nephew Felix just started elementary school this September.

possessive + nephew with named relation

Gabriela took her nephew to the science museum last Saturday.

took + possessive + nephew to [place]

Common collocations
  • my nephew
  • his nephew
  • her nephew
  • their nephew
  • our nephew
  • eldest nephew
  • youngest nephew
  • favorite nephew
  • look after + possessive + nephew
  • teach + possessive + nephew
Antonyms
  • niece

    female equivalent; the daughter of one's sibling

Grammar Patterns

possessive + nephew

Usage Note

Unlike Chinese (姪子 vs. 外甥), English uses nephew for the son of any sibling or sibling-in-law, regardless of which side of the family. Always use a possessive or determiner before it: my nephew, her nephew, our nephew.

Common Mistakes

She is his nephew.
She is his niece.
Nephew is only for boys or men; niece is the female equivalent.
My 姪子 is five years old.
My nephew is five years old.
Do not insert Chinese family terms into English sentences.