Irish twins
1 synonym for Irish twins, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Two siblings born to the same mother within about twelve months of each other, so that they are close in age but not actually twins.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
back-to-back siblings
How to use Irish twins
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
we're Irish twins
raising Irish twins
Irish twins ten months apart
Informal, and considered an ethnic slur by some speakers; use with care.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart can Irish twins be born?
The usual rule is under twelve months apart, meaning both children are born within the same twelve-month span. Some people stretch it to any siblings in the same school year or under about eighteen months apart, but twelve months is the common definition.
Are Irish twins actually twins?
No. Twins come from the same pregnancy; Irish twins come from two separate pregnancies very close together. Genetically they are ordinary siblings.
Is the phrase Irish twins offensive?
It can be. The term grew out of nineteenth-century stereotypes about large Irish Catholic families, and some people find it insulting for that reason, while others use it cheerfully about their own children. In neutral writing, prefer 'siblings born a year apart'.
