greataunt

A great-aunt is a family relation referring to the sister of one’s grandparent or the wife of one’s granduncle. In practical terms, a great-aunt is one generation older than a parent but not as close as a grandparent or aunt. For example, your grandmother’s sister is your great-aunt. Likewise, the wife of your grandfather’s brother is also your great-aunt by marriage.

Spelling and variants vary. The standard form is great-aunt (hyphenated). Variants include great aunt, greataunt, and, less commonly, grandaunt. Some regions use grandaunt as an equivalent term to great-aunt, while others treat it as a distinct usage.

Regional and stylistic notes: In American English, both great-aunt and grandaunt are encountered, with great-aunt being the more common hyphenated form. In British English, great-aunt is widely used, and grandaunt may appear in some contexts. In genealogical writing, a hyphenated form (great-aunt) is typically preferred.

Role and context: The designation is genealogical and descriptive rather than legal. It helps map family generations and relationships within a family tree. There is also a male counterpart, the great-uncle, who is the brother of a grandparent or the husband of a grand-aunt.

See also: Aunt, Grandparent, Great-grandparent, Great-uncle.