What does "twin" mean?
Either of two people (or, less commonly, animals) who shared the same uterus at the same time; one who was born at the same birth as a sibling.
Twin
/twɪn/ adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Either of two people (or, less commonly, animals) who shared the same uterus at the same time; one who was born at the same birth as a sibling.
- Grammar: twin is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: accessory, accompanying, actual thing, adjective noun pair.
- Useful contrasts: different, dissociate, distinct.
- Usage evidence: I'd like a twin with an extra bed.
How to use "twin"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "twin" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "twin" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "twin" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "twin" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "twin" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accessory" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "twin", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Either of two people (or, less commonly, animals) who shared the same uterus at the same time; one who was born at the same birth as a sibling.
- 2 A player who plays for the Minnesota Twins.
- 3 a duplicate copy wordnet
- 4 Either of two similar or closely related objects, entities etc.
- 5 (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Gemini wordnet
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 A room in a hotel, guesthouse, etc. with two beds; a twin room.
- 7 either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy wordnet
- 8 A two-engine aircraft.
- 9 A twin crystal.
- 10 A twin size mattress; or a bed designed for such a mattress. US
- 11 A friendly term of address, typically for men. slang
Verb
- 1 To separate, divide. transitive
- 2 give birth to twins wordnet
- 3 To split, part; to go away, depart. intransitive
- 4 grow as twins wordnet
- 5 To join, unite; to form links between (now especially of two places in different countries); to pair with. passive, usually
"Reading, the English town, is twinned with Clonmel in Ireland."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 bring two objects, ideas, or people together wordnet
- 7 To give birth to twins. intransitive
"“I’ve run to tell ye,” said the junior shepherd, supporting his exhausted youthful frame against the doorpost, “that you must come directly. Two more ewes have twinned — that’s what’s the matter, Shepherd Oak.”"
- 8 duplicate or match wordnet
- 9 To be, or be like, a twin to (someone else); to match in some way. transitive
"The invert child and her innocent child are together lost children, twinning each other despite their distinctions."
- 10 To be, or be like, a pair of twins (for example, to dress identically); to be paired or suited. intransitive
"“I see you got us twinning today.” Byrd kissed Lay quickly. “I wanted you to dress like me today,” he admitted."
Adjective
- 1 Double; dual; occurring as a matching pair. not-comparable
"twin beds, twin socks"
- 2 Forming a pair of twins. not-comparable
"the twin boys"
Adjective
- 1 being two identical wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A town in Marion County, Alabama.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"I'd like a twin with an extra bed."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "twin"?
Common synonyms include: accessory, accompanying, actual thing, adjective noun pair, alike, all one.
How do you use "twin" in a sentence?
I'd like a twin with an extra bed.
How do you pronounce "twin"?
Pronounced /twɪn/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English twinne, twynne, from Old English ġetwin, ġetwinn (“twin, multiple”, noun) and twinn (“twin, two-fold, double, two by two”, adjective), from Proto-Germanic *twinjaz, *twinahz (“two each”), from Proto-Indo-European *dwino- (“twin”), from *dwóh₁ (“two”). Cognate with Scots twyn (“twin”), Dutch tweeling (“twin”), German Zwilling (“twin”), Danish tvilling (“twin”), Swedish tvilling (“twin”), Faroese tvinnur (“a double set”), Icelandic tvenna (“duo, pair”), Lithuanian dvynys (“twin”), Russian двойня (dvojnja, “twin”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English *twin, *twyn, from Old English twin, twinn (“twin; double”, adjective), from Proto-Germanic *twīhnaz (“occurring in a pair; twofold; double”), from Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ (“two”). Cognate with Icelandic tvennur (“double”), Gothic 𐍄𐍅𐌴𐌹𐌷𐌽𐌰𐌹 (tweihnai, “two each”).