grandaunt

Grandaunt is a female relative who is the sister of one’s grandparent. This makes her two generations older than the person and part of the extended family. For example, your grandmother’s sister is your grandaunt. In many contexts, the term grandaunt is used interchangeably with great-aunt to refer to the sister of a grandparent.

Terminology varies by region and family tradition. Some speakers distinguish by spelling or preference, but in most English-language usage grandaunt and great-aunt denote the same relationship. Some families may also use hyphenated forms such as grand-aunt or grand aunt.

The grandaunt shares the same set of great-grandparents as you, since she is a sibling of your grandparent. She is not your ancestor or your parent, but she is part of your extended family and may appear in family histories and gatherings.

Usage notes: If a grandaunt is married to a granduncle, she may also be described as an aunt by marriage rather than a blood relative, depending on how a family uses terms.

See also: granduncle, great-aunt, aunt, cousin.