sister
A1Neutral to formal; also highly informal/affectionate in metaphorical use.
Definition
Meaning
A female sibling.
A woman who shares a close bond or a common characteristic with others, such as a fellow nun, nurse, or member of an organization; a close female friend. Used metaphorically to signify resemblance, connection, or equal status.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes familial relation. Extended uses are based on the concept of kinship, equality, or shared purpose. Terms like 'sister company' are formal and technical, while 'sis' or 'sister' as a term of address is informal, often used within specific communities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Sister' is the universal standard for the familial term. The abbreviation 'sis' is slightly more informal and common in AmE. The term 'sorority sister' is specifically American.
Connotations
In BrE, 'Sister' is a formal title for a senior nurse. In both, used by feminist and activist groups to denote solidarity.
Frequency
Equally frequent and core in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sister of [someone]sister to [someone][possessive] sisterVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(My) sister from another mister”
- “Like sisters”
- “Sister act”
- “Soul sister”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a company under the same parent ownership: 'We are launching a joint venture with our sister company in Germany.'
Academic
Used in sociology/ anthropology to discuss kinship structures. Can denote a fellow female academic in a supportive context.
Everyday
Overwhelmingly used for family member: 'I'm going shopping with my sister.' Also as a friendly term of address: 'Hey sister, how are you?'
Technical
In biology/ genetics: 'sister chromatids'. In maritime: 'sister ship'. In nursing (BrE): 'Sister Jones is in charge of the ward.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new department will be sistered to the existing marketing team for support.
American English
- The two community centers are sistered to share resources and programming.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- We visited our sister plant in Sunderland.
- She holds a sister title to the Duchess.
American English
- The university has a sister institution in Paris.
- The two fraternities have a sister relationship.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister is seven years old.
- She has one brother and one sister.
- My elder sister is studying to become a doctor.
- The charity works with its sister organisation abroad.
- Despite being sisters, their personalities are diametrically opposed.
- The two novels are sister works, exploring the same theme from different angles.
- The surgeon consulted with the ward sister before the procedure.
- A profound sense of sisterhood emerged among the delegates at the women's leadership conference.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MIST' in the middle of 'sister' – sisters often share secrets whispered in the mist.
Conceptual Metaphor
KINSHIP IS CLOSENESS / SOLIDARITY IS FAMILY (e.g., sister city, sister movement).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сестра' (sestra) which can also mean 'nurse' in a hospital context, similar to BrE. The word 'sister' in English is not used for a female cousin; Russian 'двоюродная сестра' must be specified as 'cousin'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sister' for a female friend without established close context can sound odd. *'She is my sister.' (when meaning a close friend) should be 'She is like a sister to me.' Incorrect plural: *'sisters company' instead of 'sister companies'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sister' used as a formal title?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sister' specifies a female sibling. 'Sibling' is gender-neutral and can refer to a brother or a sister.
Yes, metaphorically to indicate closeness, equality, or shared purpose (e.g., 'soul sister', 'sister in arms', 'sister company'). This usage is context-dependent.
Highly informal. It's a casual, affectionate shortening of 'sister', used in direct address or familiar reference (e.g., 'Hey sis, pass the salt').
A 'sister city' (or 'twin town') is a long-term partnership between two cities in different countries, promoting cultural and commercial ties.
Collections
Part of a collection
Family Members
A1 · 44 words · Words for family, people and relationships at home.