Family vocabulary (family members)

Family is a universal concept, but the words we use to describe familial relationships in English can vary widely depending on context and closeness. This guide explores essential vocabulary for talking about family members, organized into five key categories: immediate family, extended family, in-laws, step-family, and foster families or legal guardians. Beyond standard terms, it includes popular alternatives that reflect everyday usage, offering a practical tool for learners and speakers to navigate conversations about kinship with confidence and clarity.

Vocabulary words for talking about family members

In English, we have at least five categories of family vocabulary: immediate family, extended family, in-laws, step-family, foster families, and legal guardians (or just guardians for short). The chart below includes both standard vocabulary words plus some common alternatives.

*A stepfamily, also known as a blended family, is a family where at least one parent has children who are not biologically related to their spouse. For example: a mother remarries and brings her children from a previous marriage into her new husband’s home.

**A legal guardian is an adult who has been legally appointed by a court to have the authority and responsibility to care for another person (called a “ward”). This typically occurs when the ward is unable to make their own decisions due to age (minors) or incapacity (e.g., mental or physical disabilities).

***A foster family is a family that provides temporary care for children who cannot live with their biological parents.

In summary

This text outlines a comprehensive vocabulary list for family members in English, divided into five categories. Immediate family includes terms like “mother” (alternates: “mom,” “mama”) and “father” (“dad,” “papa”), alongside “brother,” “sister,” “son,” “daughter,” “husband,” and “wife.” Extended family covers “grandmother” (“grandma,” “nana”), “grandfather” (“grandpa”), “grandson,” “granddaughter,” “aunt” (“auntie”), “uncle,” “cousin” (“cous”), “nephew,” and “niece.” In-laws feature “mother-in-law,” “father-in-law,” “brother-in-law,” “sister-in-law,” “son-in-law,” and “daughter-in-law.” Step-family, or blended family, includes “stepmother,” “stepfather,” “stepbrother,” “stepsister,” “stepson,” and “stepdaughter,” referring to non-biological relatives from remarriage. Legal guardians (“guardian”) are court-appointed caregivers for minors or incapacitated individuals, while foster families provide temporary care for children unable to live with their biological parents. The list highlights both formal terms and common alternatives, enhancing understanding of family dynamics and terminology in English.