twin

1 of 3

noun

ˈtwin 

1

a

: either of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy

b

Twins plural : gemini

2

: one of two persons or things closely related to or resembling each other

3

: a compound crystal composed of two adjoining crystals or parts of crystals of the same kind that share a common plane of atoms

twinship

ˈtwin-ˌship 

noun

twin

2 of 3

adjective

1

: born with one other or as a pair at one birth

my twin brother

twin girls

2

a

: made up of two similar, related, or connected members or parts : double

b

: paired in a close or necessary relationship : matching

c

: having or consisting of two identical units

d

: being one of a pair

twin

3 of 3

verb

twinned; twinning

transitive verb

1

: to bring together in close association : couple

2

: duplicate, match

intransitive verb

1

: to bring forth twins

2

of a crystal : to grow in a compound form with two adjoining sections that share a common plane of atoms

Synonyms

Noun

• companion
• fellow
• half
• match
• mate

Adjective

• binary
• bipartite
• double
• double-barreled
• double-edged
• dual
• duplex
• twofold

Examples of twin in a Sentence

Noun

She's the mother of twins.

The twins went swimming after lunch.

My sister just had twins.

Sarah and her brother are twins.

Adjective

the twin goals of reducing oil dependence and protecting the environment

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The twins first joined forces when Taylor signed a three-year, $33 million deal prior to the 2022 season, becoming the fourth set of twins to be teammates in league history. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025

The most concrete result of therapy has been Milena’s acknowledgment that childbirth was an agonizing experience; her slow-burning resentment of the ungrateful twins has been building ever since. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Jack Fletcher — 17, attacking midfielder Son of United coach Darren, attacking midfielder Fletcher joined their academy from rivals Manchester City in 2023, along with his twin brother Tyler. —Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025

Fisherman, who operates a hummus catering business, was charged in MW’s criminal case, but he wasn’t named as a defendant with the twin Alexander brothers in her civil suit. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

The result is falling prices twinned with stubborn costs and, therefore, dramatically lower margins. —Liam Denning, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025

Grab one of these black wide-leg pants that remind us of Selena Gomez and Jennifer Aniston’s twinning outfits and match with your bestie this Galentine’s Day. —Nicol Natale, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from twin twofold

Adjective

Middle English, twofold, double, from Old English twinn; akin to Old Norse tvinnr two by two, Old English twā two

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing twin

• conjoined twin
• fraternal twin
• identical twin
• Siamese twin
• twin bed
• twin-bedded
• twin bill
• twin double
• twin primes
• twin-size
• twin town
• twin-turbo

Kids Definition

twin

1 of 3 adjective

ˈtwin 

1

: born with one other or as a pair at one birth

my twin brother

twin girls

2

a

: made up of two similar, related, or connected members or parts

b

: being one of a pair

a twin city

twin

2 of 3 verb

twinned; twinning

: to produce or give birth to twins

twin

3 of 3 noun

: either of two offspring produced at a birth compare fraternal twin, identical twin

Medical Definition

twin

1 of 2 adjective

ˈtwin 

: born with one other or as a pair at one birth

a twin brother

twin girls

twin

2 of 2 noun

1

: either of two offspring produced at a birth

2

twins plural : a group of two offspring born at one birth

twinship

-ˌship 

noun