noun B1 Intermediate Common

twin

twihn

Twin (noun) means one of two children born to the same mother at the same time. Example: “The twins are identical and hard to tell apart.”

noun

One of two children born to the same mother at the same time.

"The twins are identical and hard to tell apart."

Either of two things that are strikingly similar or closely matched.

"The two towers are twins, built to the same design."

verb

To form an official partnership between two places, especially towns in different countries.

"The town is twinned with a village in France."

adj

Consisting of two matching or paired items.

"We booked a twin room for the trip."

How to use twin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOne of two siblings born together, or anything that closely matches another thing.

Common pairings

identical twins twin brother twinned with

Word forms

twinned past tense, twins plural, Twins plural, twins singular

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The _____ are identical and hard to tell apart.

Etymology

From Old English twinn ("double, two-fold"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "two each," ultimately from the ancient word for "two."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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double counterpart duplicate match mate pair

Related words

two make even both game friend single meet

Rhymes for twin

win

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Frequently asked questions

What does “twin” mean?

The word “twin” means one of two children born to the same mother at the same time. In plain terms, one of two siblings born together, or anything that closely matches another thing.

How do you pronounce “twin”?

“Twin” is pronounced twihn (/twɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “twin” in a sentence?

Here is “twin” used in a sentence: “The twins are identical and hard to tell apart.”

What part of speech is “twin”?

Depending on how it is used, “twin” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.

Where does the word “twin” come from?

The word “twin” comes from Old English. From Old English twinn ("double, two-fold"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "two each," ultimately from the ancient word for "two.".

Is “twin” a common word?

“Twin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “twin” have?

“Twin” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of two children born to the same mother at the same time.

What is the difference between identical and fraternal twins?

Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg and are strikingly similar, while fraternal twins develop from two separate eggs and can look as different as any siblings. Both are twins because they are born to the same mother at the same time.

Can twin be used as an adjective?

Yes. Twin often works before a noun to mean paired or matching, as in "twin beds," "twin towers," or "twin engines." This use draws on the sense of two closely matched things.

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