Greatuncle

Great-uncle is a male relative who is the brother of one’s grandparent, or the husband of one’s grandparent’s sister. This makes the great-uncle a collateral relative rather than a direct ancestor. The female counterpart is typically called a great-aunt. In some regions, the term granduncle is used interchangeably with great-uncle, though usage varies by place and family.

In a family tree, a great-uncle appears on the same generational level as one's grandparent, connected through the grandparent’s siblings or through marriage to a grandparent’s sister. If your grandfather has a brother, that person is your great-uncle. Similarly, the husband of your grandfather’s sister is also commonly regarded as your great-uncle.

Cultural and linguistic variations influence terminology. Some languages distinguish paternal and maternal lines with different terms, while English speakers may use great-uncle, granduncle, or simply uncle by marriage in certain contexts. The distinction between blood relation and relation by marriage is often reflected in how families describe these relatives.

Usage and context: great-uncles frequently appear in family histories, obituaries, and genealogical charts. They represent a two-generation-removed branch of the family tree, and while not in the direct parent line, they can play meaningful roles in family stories and memory. In adoption or blended-family situations, terms may be used differently according to personal or cultural preferences.