siblings

USAGE SUMMARY

The word siblings is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more people who have the same parent(s). Example sentence: My siblings and I have enjoyed spending time together this summer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least, he added, Sky and Hope's siblings, Highlander and Burt, who had also been tagged, were still on the wing, exploring the uplands of Dumfries and Galloway, the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and the South Pennines.

The Guardian

Her small, frail frame and severe difficulties breathing have brought her to a rehabilitation clinic several miles from where her mother and five siblings live in the Mayan village of Quajarwalten.

The Guardian

Ragan Karki, 16, said he and his siblings had come there to seek shelter for the night and were waiting for their parents to join them.

The Guardian

Viggo left South America aged 11, when his parents divorced and he moved to upstate New York with his mother and siblings.

The Guardian - Film

It was widely perceived as a further move to establish Elisabeth as a significant Murdoch dynasty figure independent from her father and siblings in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.

The Guardian

They struggle to get through daily chores, like caring for younger siblings or working on family farms.

The Guardian

The Refugee Council in the UK wants to see it made much easier for people to bring over family members such as siblings, parents or cousins.

The Guardian

There are lots of kids out there with disabled parents or siblings whose lives just got harder because of you.

The Guardian - Opinion

A ballerina who lived in a single motel room with her mother and five siblings during her teenage years will become the American Ballet Theatre's first black soloist in 20 years.

The Guardian

They include tributes to Leah N Wanfula, who at 21 was the first of nine siblings to go to university.

The Guardian

Teenagers are too often placed with foster carers who live far from their families, friends and schools and are being split up from their siblings.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "siblings" when you need a gender-neutral term to refer to brothers and sisters. It's particularly useful in formal or academic writing where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "siblings" when you actually mean "cousins". "Siblings" refers to children of the same parents, while "cousins" are children of one's aunts or uncles.

Linguistic Context

The word "siblings" functions as a plural noun, denoting individuals who share one or both parents. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English, as shown in numerous examples where it refers to familial relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "siblings" is a common and grammatically sound noun used to describe individuals sharing one or both parents. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, from news reports and business documents to scientific studies. While "brothers and sisters" offers a more descriptive alternative, "siblings" remains a concise and gender-neutral choice. Its frequency and consistent application across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscore its reliability in both formal and informal communication. Avoiding confusion with terms like "cousins" is key to accurate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brothers and sisters

A more descriptive and common way to refer to siblings, specifying gender.

biological siblings

Emphasizes the genetic relationship between siblings.

full siblings

Specifies that the individuals share both parents, differentiating from half-siblings.

half-siblings

Indicates that the individuals share only one parent.

step-siblings

Refers to individuals who are related through the remarriage of their parents.

blood relatives

Broadens the scope to include all relatives sharing genetic material, not just direct siblings.

immediate family

Encompasses parents and siblings, highlighting the closest family members.

kin

A more formal and general term for relatives, including siblings.

next of kin

Refers to the closest living relatives, often with legal implications, which include siblings.

fictive kin

Individuals who are unrelated by either birth or marriage, but have emotionally significant ties

FAQs

How do I use "siblings" in a sentence?

"Siblings" is a noun that refers to two or more people who share at least one parent. For example, "My siblings and I went to the park yesterday."

What's the difference between "siblings" and "brothers and sisters"?

"Siblings" is a gender-neutral term that encompasses both brothers and sisters. "Brothers and sisters" specifies the gender of each person.

Are step-brothers and step-sisters considered "siblings"?

Step-brothers and step-sisters can be referred to as "step-siblings", indicating that their relationship is through marriage rather than blood.

What is a good alternative to the word "siblings"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "siblings" include "brothers and sisters", "blood relatives", or simply "family members".