half-sister
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A female person who shares one biological or legal parent with you, but not both.
In extended usage, can refer to a female person with whom one shares a close relationship due to being a half-sister, regardless of biological connection. In some family law or genealogical contexts, may be legally defined by shared parentage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a direct familial relationship through one parent. The term is factual and does not inherently indicate closeness or distance in the relationship; that is context-dependent. Hyphenated spelling is standard, though 'half sister' is sometimes seen.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or standard usage. Spelling is consistently hyphenated ('half-sister') in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of partial biological/legal relation. Both regions use the term in legal, genealogical, and everyday contexts.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] has a half-sister named [Name].[Subject]'s half-sister is [Description].[Subject] and [Name] are half-sisters.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specific to 'half-sister'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in discussions of family-owned businesses, inheritance, or employee relations.
Academic
Used in genetics, sociology, anthropology, and law when discussing kinship structures.
Everyday
Common in personal and family discussions, genealogy, introductions.
Technical
Used precisely in legal documents (wills, custody), genealogy, and genetic studies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is my half-sister, Mia.
- I have one half-sister.
- My half-sister and I share the same father.
- We only discovered we were half-sisters last year.
- Despite being half-sisters, we were raised together from a very young age.
- The inheritance laws treat children and half-sisters differently.
- Her forthcoming memoir explores the complex dynamics between her and her estranged half-sister.
- The genetic study included participants who were full or half-siblings.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'HALF the parents' = HALF-sister. You share one parent, like half a pie.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY IS A WHOLE (where a half-sister represents a fractional part of that whole).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сводная сестра' (stepsister). 'Half-sister' is specifically 'единоутробная сестра' (same mother) or 'единокровная сестра' (same father).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'half-sister' to mean 'stepsister' (no shared biological parent).
- Omitting the hyphen: 'half sister' is less standard.
- Assuming the relationship implies emotional distance.
Practice
Quiz
What defines a half-sister?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A half-sister shares one biological parent with you. A stepsister is the daughter of your stepparent from a previous relationship; you share no biological parents.
It is a standard, neutral term used in both everyday and formal/legal contexts.
Yes, the hyphenated form 'half-sister' is considered the standard and correct spelling in edited writing.
Yes, if you share one adoptive parent (and are legally recognised as siblings), the term can apply, though 'adoptive half-sister' might be used for clarity.