conjoined twins: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “conjoined twins” mean?
A rare type of identical twins who are physically connected at birth, sharing some part of the body or internal organs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rare type of identical twins who are physically connected at birth, sharing some part of the body or internal organs.
Refers specifically to monozygotic twins whose bodies are fused in utero. The term is also used metaphorically in various contexts to describe inseparable entities or partnerships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. British English may slightly more frequently use the full term 'conjoined twins', while American English might occasionally use the shorthand 'conjoineds' in informal medical discourse, though this is rare.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties. The term is strictly medical/technical and carries no additional cultural or evaluative meaning.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined primarily to medical, biological, and sometimes general news contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “conjoined twins” in a Sentence
[subject] + are conjoined twins.[subject] + were born as conjoined twins.The [medical team] + operated on + conjoined twins.The case of + conjoined twins + [verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conjoined twins” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The twins were conjoined at the thorax.
- The condition occurs when the embryo fails to fully separate, resulting in twins that are conjoined.
American English
- The fetuses were found to be conjoined during the ultrasound.
- Historically, many conjoined individuals performed in sideshows as 'conjoined twins'.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; 'conjoined' is not used as an adverb in standard English for this term.]
American English
- [Not applicable; 'conjoined' is not used as an adverb in standard English for this term.]
adjective
British English
- The conjoined twin surgery was highly complex.
- They studied a case of conjoined twin gestation.
American English
- The medical team prepared for the conjoined twin separation.
- Conjoined twin births are extremely rare.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Potential metaphorical use for inseparable business partners or merged companies ('The two departments were like conjoined twins').
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and genetics literature. Used precisely and descriptively.
Everyday
Used in news reports, documentaries, or general discussion about rare medical phenomena. Often requires explanation.
Technical
Standard term in embryology, teratology, surgery, and pediatrics. Used with precise anatomical descriptors.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conjoined twins”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conjoined twins”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conjoined twins”
- Mispronouncing 'conjoined' with stress on the first syllable (/ˈkɒn.dʒɔɪnd/). Correct stress is on the second syllable: /kənˈdʒɔɪnd/.
- Using the term as a singular noun ('a conjoined twin'). It is almost always plural, referring to the pair.
- Confusing with 'identical twins', which are not necessarily physically connected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, conjoined twins are always monozygotic (identical), originating from a single fertilized egg that fails to separate completely.
'Conjoined twins' is the modern, standard medical term. 'Siamese twins' is a dated term originating from Chang and Eng Bunker (born in Siam, now Thailand) and is now considered inappropriate and offensive in medical contexts.
In many cases, yes, depending on where they are joined and which organs they share. Separation surgery is highly complex and carries significant risk.
Extremely rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 200,000 births. Many conjoined pregnancies do not result in live births.
A rare type of identical twins who are physically connected at birth, sharing some part of the body or internal organs.
Conjoined twins is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Conjoined twins: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈdʒɔɪnd twɪnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈdʒɔɪnd twɪnz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this term. It is sometimes used metaphorically: 'They were like conjoined twins, never seen apart.']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CONnected' + 'JOINED' = 'CONJOINED'. Twins who are joined together from conception.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSEPARABILITY IS PHYSICAL FUSION (e.g., 'Those two friends are conjoined twins').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary register for the term 'conjoined twins'?