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Aunty vs. Aunt: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 2, 2023
"Aunty" and "Aunt" both refer to the sister of one's parent or the wife of one's uncle, but "Aunty" is a more informal and affectionate term, while "Aunt" is more formal.

Key Differences

"Aunty" and "Aunt" both refer to a relative, specifically the sister of a parent or the wife of an uncle. However, "Aunty" is generally seen as a more informal and affectionate term.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
In different cultural contexts, "Aunty" might be used more broadly to refer to a woman of the older generation in a community. "Aunt," on the other hand, usually sticks more closely to the biological or legal relationship.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
Grammatically, both "Aunty" and "Aunt" function as nouns. They can serve as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence, yet "Aunty" is more colloquial.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
In written language, "Aunt" is more commonly used in official or formal documents. "Aunty," conversely, is more often found in personal correspondence or casual writing.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
Both "Aunty" and "Aunt" can appear with or without a name following them (e.g., Aunt Jane or Aunty Jane). However, "Aunty" is more likely to be used with a name when speaking to children, to add a layer of warmth.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Formality

Informal
Formal
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Usage Context

Casual, affectionate
Official, neutral
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Grammatical Function

Noun
Noun
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Cultural Adaptability

Varies by culture
More standardized
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Appears in Formal Docs

Less Likely
More Likely
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023
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Aunty and Aunt Definitions

Aunty

Elder in Community
We listened to Aunty.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Aunt

Neutral Term
Aunt Jane is my dad's sister.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

Aunty

Term of Endearment
Aunty hugged me tight.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

Aunt

Standard Use
Aunt Emily wrote a book.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Aunty

Casual Reference
Aunty made cookies.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023
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Aunt

Formal Address
Aunt Williams is a doctor.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

Aunty

Colloquial Use
Aunty is a good storyteller.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Aunt

Biological Relative
I talked to Aunt Susan.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Aunty

Informal Relative
I visited Aunty Mary.
Harlon Moss
Sep 20, 2023

Aunt

Legal Relative
She became my aunt through marriage.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Aunty

Aunt.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

The sister of one's father or mother.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunty

Alternative spelling of auntie
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

The wife of a sibling of one's mother or father.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunty

The sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

Used as a form of address for an older woman, especially by children.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

The sister or sister-in-law of one’s parent.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

The female cousin or cousin-in-law of one’s parent.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

(affectionate) A woman of an older generation than oneself, especially a friend of one's parents, by means of fictive kin.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

(obsolete) Any elderly woman.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

(obsolete) A procuress or bawd.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

The sister of one's father or mother; - correlative to nephew or niece. Also applied to an uncle's wife.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

An old woman; and old gossip.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

A bawd, or a prostitute.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

Aunt

The sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 24, 2023

FAQs

Is Aunty informal?

Yes, "Aunty" is considered informal.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Can Aunty and Aunt be used interchangeably?

Generally, but "Aunty" is more affectionate and "Aunt" is more formal.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Is Aunt formal?

Yes, "Aunt" is considered formal.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

What is Aunty?

"Aunty" is an informal term for the sister of one's parent or the wife of one's uncle.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

What is Aunt?

"Aunt" is a formal term for the sister of one's parent or the wife of one's uncle.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Does culture affect the use of Aunty?

Yes, "Aunty" might be used more broadly depending on cultural context.
Janet White
Sep 20, 2023

Can Aunt be a verb?

No, "Aunt" is also a noun.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Is Aunty used in legal documents?

Rarely, "Aunt" is more common in such contexts.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

Which is more commonly used, Aunty or Aunt?

"Aunt" is more commonly used in formal situations and documents.
Sara Rehman
Sep 20, 2023

What’s the plural of Aunty?

"Aunties"
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Can Aunty be a verb?

No, "Aunty" is a noun.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Which is more modern, Aunty or Aunt?

Both terms are in current use, but "Aunty" may be considered more modern due to its casual tone.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 20, 2023

Is Aunty a term of endearment?

Yes, "Aunty" is often used as a term of endearment.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

What’s the plural of Aunt?

"Aunts"
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023

Is Aunt used with children?

"Aunt" can be used with children but is less warm compared to "Aunty."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 20, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera Saeed
Sumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.

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