'Aunty' (also spelled 'auntie') in modern teen slang is often used as a friendly title for any older woman who feels like family — a friend's mother, a teacher, a neighbour — not literally a sibling of a parent. In South Asian, African, Caribbean and Filipino communities the broader use is the cultural norm. Among Gen Z online it can also be teasing: calling a woman 'aunty' may flag her behaviour or style as old-fashioned. Tone tells you which sense is meant; usually it is warm. It is not rude unless your child sneers when saying it.
aunty
South Asian and East African English — respectful address for any older woman, related or not.
Seen in the wild
4 citations · last seen May 2026
Seen in the wild
BlueskyMay 2026
Andrew Verney is presumably Tegan’s mum’s dad. Is her mum’s sister Aunty Vanessa who married a Mr Fraser and had a son called Colin.
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BlueskyMay 2026
One of my oldest friends is a Norfolk girl...I have had *some* fun with that over the years...your aunty is your sister kinda thing...the Fens in general...odd!
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BlueskyMay 2026
I wish Aunty would retire a couple of their older pundits.
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BlueskyMay 2026
Here are some that I got today: new Murderbot, new Detective Aunty, The Last Contract of Isako, The Radiant Dark, the updated Austenland, Girls Our Age, Japanese Gothic
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Wikipedia: Grahame Bond
Grahame John Bond AM (born 21 November 1943) is an Australian actor, writer, director, musician and composer, known primarily for his role as Aunty Jack.
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Definitions
IN
+623100%
#1·Apr 23, 2026INNeutral
South Asian and East African English — respectful address for any older woman, related or not. "Uncle" is the male equivalent. "Aunty, the biryani was incredible." Not quite formal, not quite casual; the exact register that English's "Ma'am" fails to occupy.
"Aunty, the biryani was incredible."
Origin: Regional vernacular; long-established in its native community.
For parents
'Aunty' (also spelled 'auntie') in modern teen slang is often used as a friendly title for any older woman who feels like family — a friend's mother, a teacher, a neighbour — not literally a sibling of a parent. In South Asian, African, Caribbean and Filipino communities the broader use is the cultural norm. Among Gen Z online it can also be teasing: calling a woman 'aunty' may flag her behaviour or style as old-fashioned. Tone tells you which sense is meant; usually it is warm. It is not rude unless your child sneers when saying it.
For ESL learners
"aunty" is slang. It means: South Asian and East African English — respectful address for any older woman, related or not. Register: casual. Use it in: casual conversation and online posts. Avoid in: formal writing and professional emails.
Cluster: friend
Heard in the wild
“Andrew Verney is presumably Tegan’s mum’s dad. Is her mum’s sister Aunty Vanessa who married a Mr Fraser and had a son called Colin.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“One of my oldest friends is a Norfolk girl...I have had *some* fun with that over the years...your aunty is your sister kinda thing...the Fens in general...odd!”
— Bluesky· May 2026“I wish Aunty would retire a couple of their older pundits.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Here are some that I got today: new Murderbot, new Detective Aunty, The Last Contract of Isako, The Radiant Dark, the updated Austenland, Girls Our Age, Japanese Gothic”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Grahame John Bond AM (born 21 November 1943) is an Australian actor, writer, director, musician and composer, known primarily for his role as Aunty Jack.”
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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🗺️About Regional & Other slang
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Other words near "aunty" (A)
auntcestAunt FloauntieAuntie Beebaunt nellAunt Sallyaunty arcaunty checkaunty codedaunty coreaunty energyaunty fail
Browse all slang words starting with A.
Related terms
Semantically related
- auntyji78%
(India) aunt or older woman (as a respectful term of address).
- auntie74%
(Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand) Term of familiarity or respect for a middle-aged or elderly woman.
- auntie68%
(LGBT, slang, USA) An elderly gay man.
- chitthi68%
(Indian English, informal) aunty; a friendly older motherly woman.
- auntie67%
(Hong Kong) Female domestic helper.