What does niece mean?
A niece is a girl or woman who is the daughter of one's brother or sister. The word can also be used more broadly for a daughter of a spouse's brother or sister, especially when describing extended-family relationships. “Niece” is standard in British and American English and is used in both everyday conversation and formal family descriptions. It forms common pairs such as “niece and nephew,” reflecting the corresponding terms for children of one's siblings. In literary or historical contexts, the word may also be used to refer to a female descendant more generally, though its dominant modern meaning concerns a sibling's daughter.
A daughter of one's brother or sister.
"I spoke with my niece by telephone."
This is the ordinary modern sense in British and American English.
A daughter of one's spouse's brother or sister, especially in an extended-family context.
"My husband's niece joined us for the celebration."
This extended sense is less common than the primary meaning and is used particularly when clarifying a family relationship.
The standard plural is “nieces.”
"The two nieces exchanged cards at the family reunion."
The word “niece” carries a family connection in its sound and history: it is related to “nephew,” sharing a Latin ancestor for a sibling's child.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of niece
The English word entered Middle English through Old French neece, which derived from Latin neptis, meaning a sister’s or brother’s daughter. The Latin term is related to forms in other Romance languages, including French nièce and Spanish sobrina, and to the English word “nephew.” Its modern sense has remained focused primarily on a sibling’s daughter, with occasional extension to the children of a spouse’s siblings.
How niece is actually used
The term is standard in everyday family usage in both British and American English. It is generally used as a personal or familial relationship term and may sound more formal or affectionate in some contexts.