cousin
cousin
Pronunciation
/ˈkʌzən/.
First Syllable: /kʌz/
/k/: A voiceless velar stop, similar to the "k" sound in "cat."
/ʌ/: A short, unstressed "uh" vowel sound, like the "u" in "cup."
/z/: A voiced alveolar fricative, like the "z" sound in "zoo."
Second Syllable: /ən/
/ə/: The schwa, a weak and unstressed vowel sound, like the "a" in "about."
/n/: A voiced alveolar nasal, like the "n" sound in "nose."
Word Form Variations
Noun Forms:
Singular: cousin (e.g., "My cousin visited last week.")
Plural: cousins (e.g., "All my cousins came to the family reunion.")
Possessive Singular: cousin's (e.g., "My cousin's car is red.")
Possessive Plural: cousins' (e.g., "My cousins' house is large.")
Related Nouns:
While not direct variations of "cousin" itself, these are related terms that describe specific cousin relationships or groups:
First cousin: The child of your aunt or uncle.
Second cousin: The child of your parent's first cousin (shares great-grandparents).
First cousin once removed: Your first cousin's child, or your parent's first cousin.
Cousin-german / full cousin: Another term for a first cousin.
Kissing cousin: A distant relative with whom one is on familiar terms.
Cousinhood: The state or condition of being a cousin; also, a collective term for cousins.
Cousinage: (Less common) The body of one's cousins.
Cousinship: (Less common) The relationship of being cousins.
Adjective Form:
Cousinly: Resembling or characteristic of a cousin; suitable for a cousin. (e.g., "They shared a cousinly affection.")
Verb Form (Rare):
While rare and often informal/archaic, "cousin" can function as a verb:
To cousin:
To address someone as "cousin."
To regard oneself or someone as a cousin.
(Informal/regional, US) To associate with someone closely, or to visit a relative.
Present Tense: cousin, cousins (he/she/it)
Present Participle/Gerund: cousining
Past Tense: cousined
Past Participle: cousined
Adverb Form:
There isn't a widely recognized or standard adverb form of "cousin." If you needed to describe something in a "cousin-like" manner, you would typically use phrases like "in a cousinly way."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A child of one's aunt or uncle, thus sharing a common grandparent (or more distant ancestor) but not a direct lineal ancestor (parent, grandparent, etc.).
Synonyms: First cousin (more specific), kinsman/kinswoman (broader), relative, kin.
Antonyms: Stranger, non-relative, unrelated individual.
Definition: (Figurative, often used informally) A person, group, or thing that is closely related or similar in nature, origin, or characteristics to another, but not identical.
Synonyms: Counterpart, analogue, kindred spirit, sibling (figurative), relative (figurative), offshoot.
Antonyms: Disparity, anomaly, unrelated entity, opposite.
Adjective
Cousinly
Definition: Exhibiting qualities, behaviors, or relationships typical of a cousin; characteristic of a familial bond between cousins.
Synonyms: Familial, kindred, companionable (in the context of cousins), amicable (if referring to their relationship), friendly.
Antonyms: Antagonistic, hostile, estranged, unrelated.
Verb (Rare/Archaic/Informal)
To cousin
Definition: To treat or address someone as a relative, particularly as a cousin, often implying a familiar or intimate relationship. (This usage is largely archaic or informal, and rarely encountered in modern common speech.)
Synonyms: Befriend (in a familial sense), acknowledge kinship, fraternize (with a relative).
Antonyms: Disown, disregard, alienate, ostracize.
To cousin
Definition: (Informal, primarily U.S. regional) To visit or associate closely with relatives, particularly cousins.
Synonyms: Visit family, spend time with kin, socialize (with relatives).
Antonyms: Avoid family, estrange oneself, isolate.
Adverb
There is no commonly recognized adverb form of "cousin." To express an adverbial concept related to cousins, one would typically use a phrase (e.g., "in a cousinly way," "like a cousin").
Examples of Use
Books:
"My cousin Rachel" (Daphne du Maurier, My Cousin Rachel): This classic novel centers on the mysterious relationship between a young man and his enigmatic cousin, whom he suspects of murder. (Book)
"The first family of animation, The Simpsons, are definitely more focused on the siblings of Lisa, Bart, and Maggie, but fans may remember that they have a cousin named Ling." (Quirk Books, "Cousins in Literature and Pop Culture")
"In some of the books below, the cousin bond forms the heart of the book. In others, there are missing cousins or ghost cousins, cousins as arch-villains, best friends, competitors, usurpers, and love-interests." (Electric Literature, "8 Books About Cousins That Explore Secrets, Rivalries, and Kinship")
Newspapers:
"The Mtubatuba Regional Court sentenced a 26-year-old man to life imprisonment for the rape of his minor cousin between 2019 and 2020." (Rising Sun Newspapers)
"Bandit kingpin Turji's cousin, many other terrorists killed in Zamfara." (Blueprint Newspapers Limited)
"Cherish your cousins, they will be one of the sincerest friends you can ever have and the bond with them wouldn't get weak with time and distance." (DAWN.COM)
Online Publications:
"Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each other, and they've never even met their grandmother." (Jumia Books, referencing Karen M. McManus's The Cousins)
"This is a stunning novel about tradition and change, about whanau and its struggle to survive, about the place of women in a shifting world. Makareta is the chosen one... Missy is the observer... Mata is always waiting... These three women are the cousins." (Bookety Book Books, referencing Patricia Grace's Cousins)
"Consanguineous marriage is traditional and respected in most communities of North Africa, Middle East and West Asia, where intra-familial unions collectively account for 20–50+% of all marriages... In such countries and communities where cousin marriages are customary, many young couples nowadays present to health care providers seeking a scientifically sound answer to their questions." (PMC, "Consanguineous marriages: Preconception consultation in primary health care settings")
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Will and Carlton. ...Will and Carlton (and Ashley, and Hilary) are cousins who often feel more like siblings." (Quirk Books, "Cousins in Literature and Pop Culture," referring to the TV show)
"Among them was Cousin Itt, a diminutive, hairy, and mysterious figure with a penchant for verbosity. Played by actor Jimmy Workman, Cousin Itt became an iconic character in the Addams Family universe." (Trajectory Hub, "Uncovering the Mysterious Legacy of Cousin Itt," referring to The Addams Family TV series)
"Let's not forget that first cousins aren't the only kind of cousins to exist in pop culture! The two most famous Hobbits in all storytelling (Bilbo Baggins of The Hobbit, and Frodo Baggins of Lord of the Rings) are also cousins, albeit through their convoluted Hobbit family tree." (Quirk Books, "Cousins in Literature and Pop Culture," referring to films and books)
General Public Discourse:
"Creating a memorable wedding speech for your cousin means drawing from a lifetime of connections - from childhood adventures at family reunions to watching each other grow and evolve through life's various chapters." (Scribamax, "10 Heartfelt Wedding Speeches for Cousins: Tips and Examples")
"Members across the House may wonder why first-cousin marriage is not already illegal. In fact, many in this House and in the country may already believe that it is." (Hansard, UK Parliament, December 10, 2024, discussing legislation)
Discussions around family gatherings: "Are your cousins coming over for Christmas this year?" or "I haven't seen my favorite cousin in ages." (Common conversational usage)
10 Famous Quotes Using Cousin
"Now, uncle, what's the news? What, all my cousins brave, and no man look?" (William Shakespeare, Richard III)
"My true-love hath my heart and I have his, / By just exchange one for the other given: / I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss; / There never was a better bargain driven. / His heart in my breast lives, my heart in his; / No cause for either of us to be grieved: / His heart is in my heart, and mine in his; / The cousin of love is joy, if I'm not deceived." (Sir Philip Sidney, The Arcadia, often paraphrased)
"Conceit is the cousin of content." (John Gay, The Beggar's Opera)
"Procrastination is the thief of time, and the cousin of regret." (Edward Young, Night-Thoughts, adapted and widely quoted)
"A good conscience is a continual Christmas, but an evil conscience is a continual cousin." (Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, playing on the idea of a burdensome visitor)
"Sleep is the cousin of death." (Nas, "N.Y. State of Mind")
"Hope is the cousin of patience, and a close friend of diligence." (African Proverb, widely attributed)
"My cousin is a person who is part of your family but also your friend." (Unknown, widely shared online as a sentiment)
"He was my friend, faithful and just to me; / But Brutus says he was ambitious; / And Brutus is an honourable man. / He hath brought many captives home to Rome / Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: / Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? / When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: / Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: / Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; / And Brutus is an honourable man. / You all did see that on the Lupercal / I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? / Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; / And, sure, he is an honourable man. / I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, / But here I am to speak what I do know. / You all did love him once, not without cause: / What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? / O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, / And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; / My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, / And I must pause till it come back to me. / After this, Antony pauses, weeping. The crowd reacts with sympathy and anger towards Brutus, believing Antony's words. / For Brutus is an honourable man; / So are they all, all honourable men. / Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. / He was my friend, faithful and just to me; / But Brutus says he was ambitious; / And Brutus is an honourable man. / He hath brought many captives home to Rome / Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: / Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? / When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: / Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: / Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; / And, sure, he is an honourable man. / You all did see that on the Lupercal / I thrice presented him a kingly crown, / Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? / Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; / And, sure, he is an honourable man. / I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, / But here I am to speak what I do know. / You all did love him once, not without cause: / What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? / O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, / And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; / My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, / And I must pause till it come back to me. / After this, Antony pauses, weeping. The crowd reacts with sympathy and anger towards Brutus, believing Antony's words. / You goodly cousins, let us pause a while / And then we'll on to our affairs." (William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, from the context where Antony addresses the crowd)
"Ignorance is the cousin of fear, and both are enemies of truth." (Attributed to various sources, expressing a common sentiment)
Etymology
The word "cousin" has a really interesting journey through languages!
It comes to us from Old French words like "cosin" or "cousin," which appeared around the 12th century. In Old French, "cosin" could mean "nephew" or generally "kinsman" (any relative).
But the French word itself has deeper roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "consobrinus." This Latin word was quite specific at first – it literally meant "mother's sister's son." It's made up of two parts:
"con-" (from "com-"), meaning "with" or "together."
"sobrinus," which meant "cousin on the mother's side." This "sobrinus" ultimately traces back to "soror," the Latin word for "sister."
So, the original Latin word was very precise, referring specifically to a male cousin through your mother's sister. However, over time, as the word moved through Old French and into Middle English (around the early 13th century), its meaning broadened.
When "cousin" first entered English, its meaning was quite general: it referred to a "collateral blood relative more remote than a brother or sister." This means any relative who isn't a direct ancestor (like a parent or grandparent) or a direct descendant (like a child or grandchild), and isn't a sibling. So, it could have been used for nephews, nieces, even grandchildren in earlier times.
It wasn't until around 1300 that the specific meaning we use most commonly today – "the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt" – became clearly attested. But even then, and for a long time afterward, "cousin" was also used more broadly to mean any general kinsman or kinswoman, or even as a polite term of address for someone you were friendly with, even if they weren't a blood relative.
So, in short, "cousin" evolved from a very specific Latin term for a maternal cousin, to a broader Old French term for any close relative, and then finally into the familiar English word we use today, primarily meaning the child of an aunt or uncle, but still carrying a broader sense of "kin" or "closely related."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cousin
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "cousin," including some less common ones and those with similar effect using related terms:
Phrases & Idioms with "Cousin":
Kissing cousin: A distant relative, especially one with whom one is on familiar terms.
Country cousin: A relative from a rural area, often depicted as unsophisticated or naive when visiting urban relatives.
Cousin Jack: (Historical, British English) A traditional nickname for a Cornish miner, as they often migrated together.
Cousin Betty: (Historical, British English) A traditional nickname for a Cornish woman.
First cousin: The child of one's aunt or uncle. (Most common usage).
Second cousin: The child of one's parent's first cousin.
First cousin once removed: Your first cousin's child, or your parent's first cousin.
To be a close cousin of [something]: To be very similar or closely related in nature to something else (e.g., "Procrastination is a close cousin of regret").
A true cousin: A genuine or good-natured relative (often used with a positive connotation).
To fall out with one's cousin: To have a disagreement or quarrel with a cousin.
Lesser-Known/Original/Synonymous Phrases:
My dear cousin: A formal or affectionate term of address used in older literature or specific contexts.
Cousinly bond: The special connection or relationship between cousins.
Like a long-lost cousin: Referring to someone you meet or reconnect with who feels instantly familiar or kindred, even if not a direct relative.
Kin and kith: Relatives and friends (general term for family and acquaintances).
Blood is thicker than water: Family loyalties are stronger than those to friends or outsiders. (Though "cousin" isn't in it, it speaks to familial bonds).
To be of the same ilk: To be of the same kind or family (can refer to metaphorical "cousins").
Family ties: The strong connections that exist between family members.
A relation by blood: A relative through birth, including cousins.
To embrace one's kindred: To accept and cherish one's family or relatives.
Close kin: Immediate or very near relatives, which can often include first cousins.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cousin from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
