What is sister? Pronunciation and usage in English

sister means . Learn how to pronounce and use sister through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of sister

sisternoun

/ˈsɪstə/
Definition & pronunciation of sister

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sister" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈsɪstər/ (This is using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "Sis-" - This is pronounced like "siss" - as in the sound you make when you sneeze. It's a quick, short "s" sound.

  2. "-ter" - This is pronounced like "ter" as in "term." It's a short, clear "t" sound followed by a short "er" sound.

Putting it together:

It's a very smooth, quick flow of sounds. Think of saying "siss-ter" quickly.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don't overemphasize the "s." It's a quick, subtle sound.
  • The "er" at the end should be a short "er," not a long "ear" sound.

Resources for hearing it:

  • Google: Simply search "how to pronounce sister" on Google and you’ll find audio clips.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/sister/ – This website lets you hear the word pronounced by native speakers from different regions.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you an example sentence using the word?
  • Compare it to a similar-sounding word?

Usage and examples with the word sister in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sister" in English. It's a pretty common word, but there are nuances to its usage.

1. Basic Definition:

  • Sister: A female sibling – a child of one’s parents. This is the most common meaning.
    • Example: "My sister is coming to visit next week."

2. Types of Sisters:

  • Full Sister: A child born to the same parents as another person. (This is the most common usage in family discussions.)

    • Example: "I have two sisters: Emily and Sarah."

  • Half Sister: A child born to one parent by a different marriage or relationship.

    • Example: “My half-sister lives in Australia.”

  • Adoptive Sister: A child who is legally adopted into a family and considered a sibling.

    • Example: “She’s my adoptive sister, and we grew up together.”

  • Step-Sister: The sister of your stepparent.

    • Example: "My step-sister is a really talented musician."

  • Twin Sister: A sister who was born at the same time as another person.

    • Example: "My twin sister and I are very close."

3. Ways to Use "Sister" in Sentences:

  • Referring to someone directly: “My sister, Jessica, is a doctor.”
  • Introducing someone: “This is my sister, Maria.”
  • Describing a relationship: "I'm very close to my sister."
  • Expressing affection: “I love my sister very much.”
  • Talking about shared experiences: “My sister and I used to build forts in the woods.”
  • In idioms/phrases: (These are more advanced)
    • "Sisterhood": A group of women who have a close bond. “The women’s group fostered a strong sense of sisterhood.”
    • "Don't be a sister to everyone" (informal): Don't be overly nice or accommodating to everyone; be discerning.

4. Pronouns:

  • You use "she" or "her" when referring to your sister.
    • Example: “She is studying at college.”

5. Casual vs. Formal:

  • “Sister” is generally a casual term. In very formal writing, you might use “female sibling.” However, in everyday conversation, "sister" is perfectly appropriate.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use "sister" in a specific context (e.g., writing a story, talking to a friend)?
  • Do you have a particular question about how to use it (e.g., "How do I talk about my step-sister?")

Synonyms for the word sister

Practice with vocabulary sister

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. My older _____, Dr. Emily White, is a renowned surgeon at St. Jude's Hospital.
  2. She always looked up to her older ____ for advice on career choices and personal growth.
  3. The youngest of the three _____, he often felt overlooked during family discussions.
  4. Please ensure all team members adhere ___ the new policy regarding data privacy.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following describes a female individual sharing the same parents as another person? a) cousin b) niece c) sister d) aunt

  2. If Sarah has a female sibling who is older than her, what term could correctly describe that relationship? a) her younger sibling b) her elder sister c) her immediate family member d) her female relative

  3. In a professional context, which term might refer to a company closely related to another within the same parent organization? a) affiliate b) rival c) sister company d) competitor

  4. To refer to a group of children from the same parents, regardless of gender, which word is most appropriate? a) relatives b) offspring c) siblings d) descendants

  5. Which word best completes the sentence: "She decided to confer ___ her colleagues before making a final decision." a) with b) to c) about d) on

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: My female sibling, who is a lawyer, lives in New York. Rewrite using "sister": My _____, who is a lawyer, lives in New York.
  2. Original: They are currently exploring a potential merger with a company that operates under the same parent corporation. Rewrite using a form of "sister": They are currently exploring a potential merger with their _____.
  3. Original: Although she is my older sister, we rarely argue about anything. Rewrite without using "sister": Although she is my _____, we rarely argue about anything.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. sister
  2. sister
  3. siblings
  4. to

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) sister
  2. b) her elder sister, c) her immediate family member, d) her female relative
  3. a) affiliate, c) sister company
  4. c) siblings
  5. a) with

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. My sister, who is a lawyer, lives in New York.
  2. They are currently exploring a potential merger with their sister company.
  3. Although she is my older sibling, we rarely argue about anything.

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