Cousin Definition, Examples & Usage Tips

Meaning 1：child of aunt or uncle (cousin)

cousin 🔊

/ˈkʌzən/

A child of your uncle or aunt, who is a relative of the same generation as you.

Cousin meaning illustration: two young relatives sharing a photo album at a family gathering

child of aunt or uncle 🔊

➕

/tʃaɪld əv ɑːnt ɔːr ˈʌŋkəl/

A cousin is the child of one's uncle or aunt, making them a relative of the same generation.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'consobrinus' (mother's sister's son), via Old French 'cosin'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'co-' (together) and 'us' (us) + 'in' (in) – we are in the same family generation together.

📖 Example

My cousin from Canada is coming to stay with us for the holidays, and we're excited to show her around the city. 🔊 My cousin from Canada is coming to stay with us for the holidays, and we are excited to show her around the city.

🔗 Collocations

first cousin – a cousin who is the child of one's aunt or uncle

second cousin – a cousin who is the child of one's parent's cousin

cousin once removed – a cousin who is one generation apart from you

🔄 Synonyms

relative (n.) – a person connected by blood or marriage

kinsman (n.) – a male relative

kinswoman (n.) – a female relative

🚫 Antonyms

stranger (n.) – a person not known or not related

outsider (n.) – a person not belonging to a particular group

🌱 Derivatives

cousinly (adj.) – like or befitting a cousin

cousinship (n.) – the relationship of cousins

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'cousin' entered English through Old French from Latin 'consobrinus', originally referring to a mother's sister's son, later generalized to all children of aunts and uncles.