sibling

[sib-ling]

noun

1. a brother or sister.

2. Anthropology.,  a comember of a sib, a unilateral descent group thought to share kinship through a common ancestor.

adjective

1. of or relating to a brother or sister.

   sibling rivalry.

sibling

/ ˈsɪblɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. a person's brother or sister

   2. ( as modifier )

      sibling rivalry

2. any fellow member of a sib

Other Word Forms

• half-sibling noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sibling¹

before 1000; late Middle English: relative, Old English; sib, -ling ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sibling¹

C19: specialized modern use of Old English sibling relative, from _sib ; see _-ling ¹

Example Sentences

How could any son not be shaken to the core after discovering that he not only killed his father but married his mother and sired his own siblings!

From Los Angeles Times

He particularly enjoyed a morality tale about two sisters – one beautiful but "vain and severe", who lost a suitor to her plain, but more agreeable, sibling.

From BBC

The remaining siblings — sisters Gizmo and Sunny — survived.

From Los Angeles Times

"It could be your mother, it could be your sibling, God forbid it could be your kid who one day needs this," she said.

From BBC

In a quiet, leafy suburb of Toronto, a 30-year-old Afghan woman spends most afternoons on the phone, hoping she can reach her two younger siblings and father.

From BBC

Related Words

• brother 
• relative 
• sister