Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

shirt-tail cousin

noun

/ˈʃɜːrt teɪl ˈkʌzən/

Definition

A shirt-tail cousin refers to a distant relative, specifically the child of a parent’s cousin or a relation that is not closely related but still part of the extended family.

Examples

At the family reunion, I met my shirt-tail cousin from my mother’s side.
Despite being shirt-tail cousins, we felt a strong bond when we met.

Meaning

The term is often used informally to describe someone who is related by descent but is not a direct cousin in the immediate sense, usually implying a loose family connection.