Let's learn about family vocabulary!

Family is where love and support begin, and learning the names of family members helps us connect with those closest to us. Each family member has a special role, and knowing how to talk about them is important for building strong relationships and understanding our roots.

From parents to cousins, these words help us express the bonds that hold us together.

For children, understanding family vocabulary is a key step in developing social skills and emotional connections. By learning these terms, they can better express their feelings, share stories, and appreciate the unique roles everyone plays in the family.

Let’s meet the family through our words!

Family vocabulary list in English

Family is at the heart of every home, and each member has a special role and title. The following family-related words are part of the Studycat Learn English app for kids, designed to make learning about family fun and meaningful. By practicing these words, children can strengthen their understanding of family dynamics and communicate more effectively with loved ones.

Here’s a list of common family-related terms to help us describe these important relationships:

brother

A male sibling. “My brother and I went to the park together.”

sister

A female sibling. “She shared her cookies with her sister.”

mom

Informal term for mother. “My mom makes the best pancakes!“

dad

Informal term for father. “I went fishing with my dad.”

grandma

A common informal term for grandmother. “Grandma baked cookies for us.”

grandpa

A common informal term for grandfather. “Grandpa taught me how to play chess.”

mother

A woman in relation to her child or children. “Mother read us a bedtime story.”

father

A man in relation to his child or children. “Father fixed the broken bike.”

grandmother

A mother of a person’s father or mother. “My grandmother loves to tell stories of her childhood.”

grandfather

A father of a person’s father or mother. “Our grandfather used to be a pilot.”

aunt

A sister of one’s parent or a wife of one’s uncle. “My aunt came to visit us last summer.”

uncle

A brother of one’s parent or a husband of one’s aunt. “My uncle is really good at building tree houses.”

cousin

A child of one’s uncle or aunt. “My cousin and I are in the same class at school.”

friend

A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. “Every Saturday, I play video games with my friend.”

Extended family words in English

Extended family includes relatives beyond the immediate family, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. These family members often play a significant role in our lives, even if they don’t live with us.

• grandmother The mother of one’s father or mother. “My grandmother tells the best bedtime stories.”
• grandfather The father of one’s father or mother. “Grandfather used to be a great fisherman.”
• aunt The sister of one’s father or mother, or the wife of one’s uncle. “Aunt Jane always brings us gifts when she visits.”
• uncle The brother of one’s father or mother, or the husband of one’s aunt. “Uncle Bob taught me how to ride a bike.”
• cousin The child of one’s aunt or uncle. “My cousin and I are the same age, and we love playing together.”
• great-grandmother The mother of one’s grandparent. “My great-grandmother lived to be 100 years old.”
• great-grandfather The father of one’s grandparent. “My great-grandfather fought in the war.”
• niece The daughter of one’s brother or sister, or the daughter of one’s brother-in-law or sister-in-law. “My niece just started school this year.”
• nephew The son of one’s brother or sister, or the son of one’s brother-in-law or sister-in-law. “My nephew loves to play soccer.”
• in-laws The family of one’s spouse, including mother-in-law, father-in-law, and siblings-in-law. “We spend the holidays with my in-laws every year.”

Blended and adoptive family vocabulary

Blended and adoptive families are formed through remarriage, adoption, or other means, creating a diverse and loving family environment. These words help describe the unique relationships in these families.

• stepmother A woman who is married to one’s father after the divorce or death of one’s mother. “My stepmother is very kind and makes delicious cookies.”
• stepfather A man who is married to one’s mother after the divorce or death of one’s father. “My stepfather helps me with my science projects.”
• stepsister The daughter of one’s stepmother or stepfather from a previous marriage. “My stepsister and I like to play video games together.”
• stepbrother The son of one’s stepmother or stepfather from a previous marriage. “My stepbrother is teaching me how to play the guitar.”
• adoptive parents Parents who legally adopt a child and raise them as their own. “My adoptive parents are the most loving people I know.”
• adopted child A child who has been legally taken and raised by adoptive parents. “As an adopted child, I feel very loved and cared for.”
• half-sister A sister who shares one biological parent with you. “My half-sister comes to visit us every weekend.”
• half-brother A brother who shares one biological parent with you. “My half-brother and I go fishing together every summer.”
• foster parents Adults who temporarily care for children whose biological parents cannot. “My foster parents are helping me find my forever home.”
• foster child A child who lives temporarily with foster parents. “As a foster child, I moved to a new school last year.”

Cultural and honorary family members in English

In many cultures, family extends beyond blood relations to include close friends or respected individuals who are considered family in every way. These words help describe those special bonds.

• godmother A woman chosen by the parents to take a special interest in a child’s upbringing. “My godmother always remembers my birthday.”
• godfather A man chosen by the parents to take a special interest in a child’s upbringing. “My godfather gave me my first bicycle.”
• godchild A child for whom someone serves as a godparent. “I am the godchild of my father’s best friend.”
• family friend A close friend of the family who is considered part of the family circle. “Our family friend comes to every holiday dinner.”
• mentor A trusted advisor or teacher who acts like a family member. “My mentor is like a second father to me.”
• clan A group of families who share a common ancestor or name, often considered one big family. “Our clan gathers every year for a big reunion.”
• tribe A group of families or communities linked by social, economic, or blood ties, with a shared culture and language. “The tribe’s traditions have been passed down for generations.”
• patriarch The male head of a family or clan. “The patriarch of our family always leads the holiday prayers.”
• matriarch The female head of a family or clan. “The matriarch of our family is respected by everyone.”
• ancestor A person from whom one is descended, typically one more remote than a grandparent. “We honor our ancestors with a special ceremony every year.”

Understanding these terms helps children communicate about family dynamics and relationships. Studycat makes learning these terms engaging with fun illustrations and interactive games!

How to learn and remember family words

Here are some effective and enjoyable ways to learn and remember family vocabulary:

• Family tree project: create a family tree and label each member using the new vocabulary.
• Memory card game: make a set of cards with family terms and another set with descriptions or pictures. Play a game to match the terms with the correct descriptions or pictures.
• Role-playing: act out family gatherings where you use the terms to refer to different family members.
• Storytelling: write short stories using as many family vocabulary words as possible.
• Family album viewing: look through family albums and identify the relationship of each person using the new vocabulary.

As we wrap up our family vocabulary session, remember that every word you learn adds more depth to your ability to express your family relationships and share stories about your loved ones.

Until our next learning adventure, keep practicing and talking about your wonderful family!