sibling
She has two siblings, a brother and a sister.
She has two brothers/sisters.
A brother or sister; a person who shares at least one parent with another person.
My sibling lives in another city, so we only see each other during holidays.
My brother or sister lives elsewhere, so we meet mainly on holidays.
The term is gender‑neutral and can refer to either a full sibling, half‑sibling, or step‑sibling.
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Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Gender‑neutral reference
Choose 'sibling' instead of 'brother' or 'sister' when you don't need to specify gender.
Gold Rule
Inclusive family talk
When discussing family dynamics, 'sibling' keeps the conversation inclusive of all genders.
Word Origin
From Old English 'sibb' meaning 'kin, relative' + diminutive suffix '-ling', originally meaning 'a person of kin'.
Usage Notes
Use 'sibling' when gender is irrelevant or when referring to both brothers and sisters collectively.