There are all kinds of families in the world: big, small, close-knit, and distant. Here’s all the English vocabulary you need to talk about your own unique family!
Immediate family
Your immediate family (sometimes called your nuclear family) are your close relatives, or family members.
In the U.S.—as in many English-speaking regions—this typically includes:
| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| parent | the person who raises or cares for a child, such as a mother or father |
| mother | female parent (somewhat formal) |
| father | male parent (somewhat formal) |
| stepparent | your parent’s spouse when the parent remarries |
| stepmother | female stepparent |
| stepfather | male stepparent |
| spouse | the person you’re married to |
| wife | female spouse |
| husband | male spouse |
| partner | a gender-neutral term used for someone in any long-term relationship |
| sibling | someone with the same parent(s) as you |
| sister | female sibling |
| brother | male sibling |
| twins | two siblings who were born at the same time |
| triplets | three siblings who were born at the same time |
| twin sister | your female sibling who was born at the same time as you |
| twin brother | your male sibling who was born at the same time as you |
| half sibling | sibling who shares one parent |
| half sister | female half sibling |
| half brother | male half sibling |
| stepsibling | your stepparent’s child |
| stepsister | your stepparent’s female child |
| stepbrother | your stepparent’s male child |
| child | the person who makes you a parent, such as your son or daughter |
| daughter | female child |
| son | male child |
| stepchild | your partner’s child from a previous relationship |
| stepdaughter | female stepchild |
| stepson | male stepchild |
Names for your immediate family
Like in many languages, there are plenty of ways to refer to members of your immediate family in English! Mother and father are relatively formal, but there are plenty of other options:
| Family member | Common nicknames |
|---|---|
| mother | mom, mommy, momma, mama |
| mum, mummy (more common outside the U.S., such as in the U.K. and Australia) | |
| father | dad, daddy, papa |
| stepmother | stepmom |
| stepfather | stepdad |
| child | kid |
Child is an irregular noun. The plural form is children.
Note that all the above terms for children can be used both for young people and for adults, sometimes referred to as grown children or adult children.
Extended family
Your extended family are relatives beyond your immediate family. This includes the family members below:
In the U.S.—as in many English-speaking regions—this typically includes:
| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| grandparent | your parent’s parent |
| grandmother | female grandparent (somewhat formal) |
| grandfather | male grandparent (somewhat formal) |
| grandchild | your child’s child |
| granddaughter | your child’s daughter |
| grandson | your child’s son |
| in-laws | your spouse’s family |
| mother-in-law | your spouse’s mother |
| father-in-law | your spouse’s father |
| sister-in-law | your spouse’s sister |
| brother-in-law | your spouse’s brother |
| aunt (also pronounced aunt) | the sister of your parent |
| uncle | the brother of your parent |
| cousin | the child of your aunt or uncle |
| niece | your sibling’s daughter or the daughter of your spouse’s sibling |
| nephew | your sibling’s son or the son of your spouse’s sibling |
Names for your extended family
Just like the nicknames for parents, there are plenty of names you might call some members of your extended family!
| Family member | Common nicknames |
|---|---|
| grandmother | grandma, nana, grammy, granny |
| grandfather | grandpa, granddad, gramps, pops |
| aunt | auntie (especially common in some regions and cultural groups) |
Notice the following plurals: mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law.
It is common to use aunt and uncle followed by the person’s name. For example, if your uncle’s name is Arthur, you would call him Uncle Arthur. Similarly, if your aunt’s name is Jessie, you would call her Aunt Jessie.
One big happy family!
Your family is likely one of the most important things in your life. Now you’re ready to talk about them with confidence!