A comprehensive guide to English family vocabulary, covering key terms for family members, relationships, and common expressions to describe families.
Describing family members and relationships is an important part of everyday English. This guide covers essential vocabulary for talking about family, including names for relatives, describing relationships, and using common expressions to talk about family life.
Family Members
This section introduces the most common English words for family members, including singular and plural forms.
| Singular | Plural | Example (Singular) | Example (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| father | fathers | My father is a doctor. | Fathers are role models. |
| mother | mothers | Her mother is very kind. | Mothers take care of children. |
| brother | brothers | I have one brother. | Brothers fight sometimes. |
| sister | sisters | My sister likes music. | Sisters support each other. |
| son | sons | Their son is five years old. | Sons play soccer. |
| daughter | daughters | Our daughter is in school. | Daughters love to read. |
| grandfather (grandpa) | grandfathers | Grandpa tells stories. | Grandfathers are wise. |
| grandmother (grandma) | grandmothers | Grandma bakes cookies. | Grandmothers are loving. |
| uncle | uncles | My uncle lives in New York. | Uncles visit us often. |
| aunt | aunts | Aunt Sarah is funny. | Aunts give good advice. |
| cousin | cousins | My cousin is my best friend. | Cousins play together. |
Relationship Terms
These words help describe how people are related to each other in English.
| Term | Definition | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| parent | a mother or father | Both of my parents work. | General term for mother or father. |
| sibling | a brother or sister | I have two siblings. | Gender-neutral word for brother or sister. |
| spouse | husband or wife | Her spouse is a teacher. | Formal term for husband or wife. |
| fiancé(e) | engaged partner | She is my fiancé. | Someone engaged to be married. |
| in-law | relative by marriage | My mother-in-law is kind. | Family member by marriage. |
| stepfather | father's new husband | I have a stepfather. | A man who marries your mother. |
| stepmother | mother's new wife | She has a stepmother. | A woman who marries your father. |
| stepsibling | stepbrother or stepsister | He has a stepsister. | Child of a stepparent, not biological. |
| godparent | sponsor at baptism | She is my godmother. | Chosen guardian in religious tradition. |
| descendant | family member in later generations | We are descendants of immigrants. | Future generations in a family line. |
Describing Family
These adjectives and phrases help you talk about what a family is like or how family members behave.
| Word or Phrase | Meaning | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| close-knit | having strong relationships | We are a close-knit family. | Describes a family with strong bonds. |
| large | many members | I come from a large family. | More than the average number of family members. |
| small | few members | They have a small family. | Only a few people in the family. |
| supportive | helpful and encouraging | My family is very supportive. | Family members offer help and encouragement. |
| loving | showing love and care | She has a loving grandmother. | Full of affection and care. |
| strict | enforcing rules | Our parents were strict. | Rules and discipline are emphasized. |
| distant | not emotionally close | He has a distant uncle. | Lacking close emotional connection. |
| blended | including stepfamily members | They have a blended family. | Family made up of biological and step members. |
| single-parent | one parent raising children | She is a single-parent mother. | Only one parent in the household. |
| reunited | brought together again | The family was reunited after years. | Family members meet again after separation. |
Mi familia es muy ___.
What does it mean if a family is 'supportive'?
helpful and encouraging
'Supportive' means family members help and encourage each other.
Ellos tienen una familia ___.
What does 'blended family' refer to?
a family including step-parents and step-siblings
A 'blended family' includes members from previous marriages, such as step-parents and step-siblings.
Common Expressions
These are common ways English speakers talk about family in conversation.
| Expression | Meaning | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| run in the family | a trait common in the family | Baldness runs in the family. | Used for inherited traits. |
| like father, like son | sons resemble their fathers | He’s tall — like father, like son! | Sons often take after their fathers. |
| family gathering | a meeting of family members | We have a family gathering every Sunday. | When relatives come together. |
| hit it off | to get along well immediately | My cousin and I hit it off. | Forming a quick bond. |
| apple of one’s eye | someone very special | She’s the apple of her father’s eye. | A beloved family member. |
| bring home the bacon | earn money for the family | Dad brings home the bacon. | Providing financially for the family. |
| black sheep | family member who is different | He’s the black sheep of the family. | Someone who doesn’t fit in. |
| runs in the family | something common in family members | Artistic talent runs in the family. | A trait or habit shared by relatives. |
| family ties | connections between family members | Strong family ties are important. | Emotional or social bonds with relatives. |
| break the family tradition | do something different | She broke the family tradition by studying abroad. | Not following established family customs. |
Describing family in English involves learning the right vocabulary and using common expressions naturally. With this guide, you’ll be able to talk about your family confidently and clearly.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
