full sister

USAGE SUMMARY

"full sister" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who is related to someone else through both their parents. For example, "My full sister and I have the same parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Full sister".

The New York Times

"So I met my full sister for the first time when I was 67.

The New York Times

Although she never raced, Tizamazing is a full sister to the mighty two-times Breeders' Cup winner and successful sire Tiznow.

The New York Times

His sire was Bold Venture, winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness in 1936, and his great-grandam was a full sister of Man o' War.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He paid a world record price for a yearling filly at Tattersalls last month, spending 5m guineas (£5.05m) on a full sister to the 2012 Oaks winner, Was.

The Guardian - Sport

The fifth full sister ended up being a seven-furlong filly that also ran in the Abernant over six, yet they were all bred identically.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

So you can meet your father and your two full sisters as well if you like.

The New York Times - Magazine

I said I wasn't quite ready to face two full sisters.

The New York Times - Magazine

Three full sisters to Flight Of Fancy also all won over a mile-and-a-half, they were stamina fillies.

The Guardian - Sport

Given that the average genetic relatedness (that is, r) between two full sisters is 0.5, then according to Hamilton's rule (0.5 × 1) > 0.25.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(In that case, the workers are full sisters, and their sons are full nephews).

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full sister" when you need to explicitly distinguish between a sibling who shares both parents versus a half-sister or stepsister.

Common error

Avoid using "full sister" interchangeably with "half-sister". "Half-sister" indicates only one shared parent, while "full sister" means both parents are the same.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full sister" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a compound noun, that modifies the noun "sister". It serves to specify the type of sibling relationship, indicating that both parents are shared. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

23%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "full sister" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe a female sibling who shares both parents. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to clarify family relationships, differentiating it from half-sisters or other types of siblings. It finds frequent use in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While the term is generally neutral, it's particularly valuable in situations where precision is key. Remembering to distinguish it from "half-sister" ensures accurate communication. To diversify your language, consider alternatives like "biological sister" or "sibling with same parents".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biological sister

Emphasizes the genetic connection.

sibling with same parents

Highlights the shared parentage.

sister by blood

Focuses on the blood relation.

sister with shared parentage

Rephrases the idea of having the same parents.

uterine sister

More technical term emphasizing the shared womb if applicable.

same-parent sister

Simple, direct phrasing.

genetically related sister

Highlights the genetic relationship.

sister of the same lineage

More formal phrasing, emphasizing ancestry.

sister from both parents

Directly states the shared parentage.

blood-related sister

Similar to "sister by blood" but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How is a "full sister" different from a half-sister?

A "full sister" shares both parents with you, while a half-sister only shares one parent.

When is it important to specify that someone is my "full sister"?

It's important to specify if you need to clarify the relationship, especially when discussing family history or inheritance, or when you want to distinguish from half-siblings or step-siblings.

Are there other ways to say "full sister"?

You can use alternatives like "biological sister" or "sibling with same parents" to emphasize the shared parentage.

Is the term "full sister" formal or informal?

The term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's most common in neutral or formal settings where clarity about the familial relationship is important.