Sister vs. Sibling — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 9, 2024
A sister is specifically a female sibling, whereas sibling refers to any brother or sister regardless of gender.
Difference Between Sister and Sibling
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A sister is a female who shares one or both parents with another individual, emphasizing a gender-specific relationship within a family. On the other hand, the term "sibling" is gender-neutral, referring to both brothers and sisters, highlighting the inclusivity of family connections.
While a sister's role and significance might vary culturally, focusing on the bond shared between sisters or with other siblings, siblings encompass all such relationships without specifying gender. This distinction allows for broader application in discussions about family dynamics.
Sisters often share a unique bond characterized by shared experiences and emotional connections. Whereas siblings can also share these deep connections, the term does not specify the nature of the relationships, be they between brothers, sisters, or a mix.
In many cultures, sisters have specific roles and expectations, such as being caregivers or confidantes. On the other hand, the expectations for siblings are more general, not tied to gender, but rather based on familial hierarchy or age.
The term sister implies a direct relation to gender identity and can play a significant role in personal identity and family dynamics. In contrast, sibling offers a more inclusive way to refer to family members, accommodating diverse family structures.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A female individual who shares one or both parents with another individual.
A brother or sister; any individual sharing one or both parents with another.
Gender
Female
Gender-neutral
Role in Family
Often has specific cultural or familial roles.
Roles are not defined by gender.
Emotional Bond
Can have a unique, gender-influenced bond.
Bonds are not specified by gender.
Inclusivity
Specific to females.
Includes both brothers and sisters.
Compare with Definitions
Sister
A woman or girl in relation to other daughters and sons of her parents.
My sister and I went shopping together.
Sibling
A person’s brother or sister.
He has four siblings, two brothers, and two sisters.
Sister
In religious or spiritual contexts, a member of a sisterhood, often used among nuns.
Sister Maria devoted her life to helping the needy.
Sibling
Gender-neutral term for a family member sharing at least one parent.
My oldest sibling is a huge influence on me.
Sister
A female sibling.
She has a younger sister who is only two years old.
Sibling
Can refer to individuals in non-human species that share the same parents.
The lioness gave birth to a litter of four siblings.
Sister
A term of endearment or solidarity among women.
She referred to her close friend as her sister.
Sibling
Used in formal or scientific contexts to describe related individuals.
The study examines the influence of siblings on social development.
Sister
In broader contexts, any woman or girl with whom there is a bond of sympathy or friendship.
The community leader addressed the crowd as sisters in solidarity.
Sibling
In a broader sense, used metaphorically to describe individuals in a group or community with common characteristics.
In the fraternity, we consider ourselves siblings in spirit.
Sister
A sister is a woman or girl who shares one or more parents with another individual. The male counterpart is a brother.
Sibling
A sibling is a gender neutral word for a relative that shares at least one parent with the subject. A male sibling is a brother and a female sibling is a sister.
Sister
A female having the same parents as another or one parent in common with another.
Sibling
One of two or more individuals having one or both parents in common; a brother or sister.
Sister
A kinswoman.
Sibling
A person who shares a parent; one's brother or sister who one shares a parent with.
None of my siblings are married yet.
Sister
A woman fellow member, as of a sorority.
Sibling
(comptheory) A node in a data structure that shares its parent with another node.
Sister
A fellow woman.
Sibling
(taxonomy) The most closely related species, or one of several most closely related species when none can be determined to be more closely related.
Sister
A close woman friend or companion.
Sibling
A brother or a sister.
Sister
A fellow African American woman or girl.
Sibling
A person's brother or sister
Sister
A woman who advocates, fosters, or takes part in the feminist movement.
Sister
(Informal) Used as a form of address for a woman or girl.
Sister
A member of a religious order of women; a nun.
Sister
Used as a form of address for such a woman, alone or followed by the woman's name.
Sister
Chiefly British A nurse, especially the head nurse in a ward.
Sister
One identified as female and closely related to another
“the sisters Death and Night” (Walt Whitman).
Sister
(Architecture) A beam or other structural member affixed to another as a supplementary support.
Sister
Related by or as if by sisterhood; closely related
Sister ships.
Sister cities.
Sister
(Genetics) Of or being one of an identical, related, or homologous pair
Sister chromatids.
Sister
(Architecture) To affix a beam or other structural member to (another) as a supplementary support.
Sister
A daughter of the same parents as another person; a female sibling.
My sister is always driving me crazy.
Sister
A female member of a religious order; especially one devoted to more active service; (informally) a nun.
Michelle left behind her bank job and became a sister at the local convent.
Sister
Any butterfly in the genus Adelpha, so named for the resemblance of the dark-colored wings to the black habit traditionally worn by nuns.
Sister
(British) A senior or supervisory nurse, often in a hospital.
Sister
Any woman or girl with whom a bond is felt through common membership in a community, race, profession, religion, organization, or ism.
Connie was very close to her friend Judy and considered her to be her sister.
Sister
A black woman.
Sister
(informal) A form of address to a woman.
What’s up, sister?
Sister
A woman, in certain religious, labour or socialist circles; also as a form of address.
Thank you, sister. I would like to thank the sister who just spoke.
Sister
(attributively) An entity that has a special or affectionate, non-hierarchical relationship with another.
Sister publication
Sister city
Sister projects
Sister
(comptheory) A node in a data structure that shares its parent with another node.
Sister
Something in the same class.
Sister ships
Sister facility
Sister
To strengthen (a supporting beam) by fastening a second beam alongside it.
I’m trying to correct my sagging floor by sistering the joists.
Sister
To be sister to; to resemble closely.
Sister
A female who has the same parents with another person, or who has one of them only. In the latter case, she is more definitely called a half sister. The correlative of brother.
I am the sister of one Claudio.
Sister
A woman who is closely allied to, or assocciated with, another person, as in the sdame faith, society, order, or community.
Sister
One of the same kind, or of the same condition; - generally used adjectively; as, sister fruits.
Sister
To be sister to; to resemble closely.
Sister
A female person who has the same parents as another person;
My sister married a musician
Sister
(Roman Catholic Church) a title given to a nun (and used as a form of address);
The Sisters taught her to love God
Sister
A female person who is a fellow member of a sorority or labor union or other group;
None of her sisters would betray her
Sister
Sometimes used as a term of address for attractive young women
Common Curiosities
Is it correct to refer to a friend as a sister?
Yes, the term sister can be used as a term of endearment or solidarity among women.
Are half-sisters considered siblings?
Yes, half-sisters are considered siblings as they share one common parent.
How does one refer to multiple siblings including both brothers and sisters?
One would simply use "siblings" to inclusively refer to both brothers and sisters.
What is a surrogate sister?
A surrogate sister is someone who is not a biological sister but is considered as close as a sister.
How does sibling differ from sister?
"Sibling" is a gender-neutral term that refers to both brothers and sisters, while "sister" specifically refers to a female sibling.
Do all cultures have the same definition of sister?
While the basic definition of sister is consistent, cultural nuances can influence the roles and significance of sisters.
Can the term siblings refer to people who are not related?
Metaphorically, yes, it can refer to individuals in a group or community with common characteristics or goals.
What defines a sister?
A sister is defined as a female sibling, sharing one or both parents with another individual.
How important are sisters in a family dynamic?
Sisters can play crucial roles in a family, often forming close emotional bonds and serving as caregivers or confidantes.
Can the term sibling be used for animals?
Yes, the term sibling can also describe animals that share the same parents.
Can sibling rivalry occur between sisters?
Yes, sibling rivalry can occur between any siblings, including sisters.
What legal rights do siblings have?
Legal rights and considerations for siblings vary by jurisdiction, especially regarding custody and inheritance.
Is there a term for the relationship between two sisters?
The relationship can be called sisterhood, both in familial and broader contexts.
How do siblings influence each other’s development?
Siblings can significantly influence each other’s social, emotional, and cognitive development through their interactions and relationships.
Does having a sister affect one’s personality?
Having a sister can influence one’s personality, fostering empathy, social skills, and emotional support.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
