extended family

[ik-sten-did fam-uh-lee, fam lee] / ɪkˈstɛn dɪd ˈfæm ə li, ˈfæm li /

NOUN

parents, children, and relatives

Synonyms

STRONGEST

nuclear family

WEAK

binuclear family kinship group menage ménage relations

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This time, four generations of extended family as well as friends are going, with Heather at the centre organising it all.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

They’re also at times footing the bill for their extended family.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

When Kaiser Kuo first visited China in the summer of 1981, his extended family there would ask him and his brother to sing some American tunes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

She also recommended creating a caregiving plan early, involving siblings or extended family when possible, and protecting time for the marriage itself.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

He had agreed to fly with her and her parents to Calcutta, to meet her extended family and ask for her grandparents’ blessing.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri