older sister

USAGE SUMMARY

"older sister" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person's sister who is older than them. Example: My older sister helped me with my homework last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His bossy older sister?

The New Yorker

Sophie's older sister.

The New Yorker

And his older sister Katie.

The New Yorker

She's my older sister".

The New York Times

The older sister sighed.

The New Yorker

(An older sister had already left home).

The New York Times

An older sister and a younger brother.

The New Yorker

Her older sister is Vanessa Redgrave.

Independent

She spotted her older sister, selling noodles.

The New Yorker

Her older sister, Gwynne Rivers, declined comment.

The New York Times - Arts

Maeve's older sister was pregnant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "older sister" when specifically referring to a sister who is older than you, regardless of the age difference. It's a clear and universally understood term.

Common error

Avoid using "older sister" when you mean the oldest sister in a family. "Older sister" simply means a sister who is older than the speaker or subject; "oldest sister" refers to the sister with the highest birth order among all sisters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "older sister" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a familial relationship. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

18%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "older sister" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a sister who is older than another person. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in various contexts. It functions to identify a specific familial relationship and is generally neutral in register. "Older sister" appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. It's important to differentiate between "older sister" and "oldest sister", as they have distinct meanings. Alternative phrases include "elder sister" and "big sister", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elder sister

A more formal or archaic term for "older sister".

big sister

A more affectionate and common way to refer to an "older sister".

oldest sister

Refers to the sister who is the eldest among all sisters.

sister who is older

A more descriptive way of saying "older sister".

sibling who is a sister and older

A formal and descriptive alternative.

my older female sibling

Uses more technical terms and broadens slightly to include any female sibling that is older.

the eldest female sibling

Alternative that emphasizes seniority.

firstborn sister

Implies the sister was the first child in the family.

senior sister

Less common usage, highlighting seniority.

older female relative

Broadens the term to include any older female relative who is a sister.

FAQs

How to use "older sister" in a sentence?

You can use "older sister" to describe a sibling relationship where one sister is older than another. For example, "My "older sister" helped me with my homework."

What can I say instead of "older sister"?

You can use alternatives like "elder sister" (more formal) or "big sister" (more affectionate) depending on the context.

Which is correct, "older sister" or "oldest sister"?

"Older sister" refers to a sister who is older than you. "Oldest sister" refers to the sister who is the eldest among all the sisters in the family.

Is "big sister" the same as "older sister"?

While "big sister" and "older sister" are often used interchangeably, "big sister" carries a slightly more affectionate connotation. "Older sister" is a more neutral, descriptive term.