A1 noun Neutral #1,525 most common

sister

/ˈsɪstər/

A sister is a girl or woman who shares the same parents as another person. It can also refer to a woman who shares one parent or someone who is very close like a family member.

Examples

3 of 5
1

My younger sister is starting school today.

My younger sister is starting school today.

2

The applicant mentioned she has a sister living in the city.

The applicant mentioned she has a sister living in the city.

3

Hey, is your sister coming to the party tonight?

Hey, is your sister coming to the party tonight?

Word Family

Noun
sister
Adverb
sisterly
Adjective
sisterly
Related
sisterhood
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'S' in Sister standing for 'Same parents' and 'She'.

Quick Quiz

I have one brother and one ______, so there are three children in my family.

Correct!

The correct answer is: sister

Examples

1

My younger sister is starting school today.

everyday

My younger sister is starting school today.

2

The applicant mentioned she has a sister living in the city.

formal

The applicant mentioned she has a sister living in the city.

3

Hey, is your sister coming to the party tonight?

informal

Hey, is your sister coming to the party tonight?

4

The study compared the developmental milestones of sisters within the same household.

academic

The study compared the developmental milestones of sisters within the same household.

5

We are a sister company to the main corporation based in London.

business

We are a sister company to the main corporation based in London.

Word Family

Noun
sister
Adverb
sisterly
Adjective
sisterly
Related
sisterhood

Common Collocations

older sister older sister
younger sister younger sister
twin sister twin sister
little sister little sister
big sister big sister

Common Phrases

sister-in-law

the sister of one's husband or wife

soul sister

a woman whose thoughts and feelings are very similar to yours

like a sister

treating a close female friend as if she were family

Often Confused With

sister vs sibling

Sibling is a gender-neutral term for both brothers and sisters, while sister is specifically female.

sister vs daughter

A daughter is a child in relation to her parents; a sister is a child in relation to her siblings.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'older' or 'elder' sister for a sibling born before you, and 'younger' or 'little' sister for one born after you. In religious contexts, 'Sister' is often used as a title for a nun.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Avoid using 'sister' to describe a female cousin; in English, cousins and sisters are distinct categories.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'S' in Sister standing for 'Same parents' and 'She'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English 'sweostor', which comes from a Proto-Germanic root meaning female sibling.

Grammar Patterns

Plural: sisters Possessive: sister's (singular), sisters' (plural) Compound noun: sister-in-law
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, 'sister' can be used as a term of solidarity among women, regardless of biological relation.

Quick Quiz

I have one brother and one ______, so there are three children in my family.

Correct!

The correct answer is: sister

More Family words

mom

A1

A mom is a female parent who cares for and raises her children. It is a warm and informal name used to call or talk about one's mother.

daughter

A1

A daughter is a female child or person in relation to her parents. It refers to the biological or legal relationship of a girl or woman to her mother and father.

sibling

A1

A sibling is a brother or a sister. It is a general word used to describe people who have the same parents, regardless of their gender.

teenager

A1

A teenager is a young person between the ages of 13 and 19. This term is used to describe the period of life when a person is no longer a child but not yet a full adult.

husband

A1

A husband is a married man in relation to his spouse. It is a term used to describe a male partner in a marriage or a legally recognized union.

grandmother

A1

A grandmother is the mother of a person's father or mother. She is a female ancestor who is two generations older than the person.

grandparent

A1

A grandparent is the parent of one's father or mother. It is a general term that refers to either a grandfather or a grandmother within a family structure.

grandson

A1

A grandson is the son of one's son or daughter. It is a term used to describe a male child in relation to his grandparents.

granddaughter

A1

A granddaughter is the daughter of a person's son or daughter. It describes the relationship between a female child and her grandparents.

grandchild

A1

A grandchild is the child of one's son or daughter. It represents the second generation of descendants after one's own children.

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