VocabDictionary

sister

/ˈsɪs.tər/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A woman or girl in relation to other daughters and sons of her parents.

Example Sentences:
  • My older sister is studying to become a doctor.
  • She has two brothers and one sister.
2.noun

A female member of a religious order; a nun.

Example Sentences:
  • The sisters at the convent dedicate their lives to charity.
  • Sister Teresa taught history at the local school.
3.adjective

Closely related, allied, or associated by common origin, ownership, or character.

Example Sentences:
  • The two sister companies decided to merge their marketing departments.
  • We visited our sister city in France last summer.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “sister”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

From Middle English suster, sister, from Old English sweostor, and partly from Old Norse systir. Both descend from Proto-Germanic *swestēr, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *swésōr ('sister'). The spelling with 'i' was heavily influenced by the Old Norse cognate.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'SIS'ter as a 'S'upportive 'I'ndividual 'S'ibling who is always there for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About “sister

1. What is the meaning of “sister” in English?

In English, sister (noun) is defined as: “A woman or girl in relation to other daughters and sons of her parents.”.

2. How do you use “sister” in a sentence?

My older sister is studying to become a doctor.

3. What are English synonyms of “sister”?

Common synonyms include:sibling,sis,nun,associate,kinswoman

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “sister”?

From Middle English suster, sister, from Old English sweostor, and partly from Old Norse systir. Both descend from Proto-Germanic *swestēr, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *swésōr ('sister'). The spelling with 'i' was heavily influenced by the Old Norse cognate.