Stepsister: meaning, definitions and examples

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stepsister

 

[ ˈstɛpˌsɪstər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

family relation

A stepsister is a girl or woman who is the daughter of one's stepparent. This relationship arises when one of the individual's parents remarries, creating a new familial connection without a biological bond. Stepsisters may live together and share experiences, though their relationship dynamics can vary significantly. While stepsisters can be close and supportive of each other, they may also experience competition or rivalry, especially if they come from different families.

Synonyms

co-sister, step-sibling

Examples of usage

  • My stepsister and I are planning a vacation together.
  • After my dad remarried, I gained a stepsister who is just a year older than me.
  • We didn't get along at first, but now my stepsister is one of my best friends.
  • At family gatherings, my stepsister always brings a fun game for us to play.

Translations

Translations of the word "stepsister" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irmã de criação

🇮🇳 सौतेली बहन

🇩🇪 Stiefschwester

🇮🇩 saudara perempuan tiri

🇺🇦 сестра зведена

🇵🇱 przyrodnia siostra

🇯🇵 義理の姉妹

🇫🇷 demi-soeur

🇪🇸 hermana adoptiva

🇹🇷 üvey kız kardeş

🇰🇷 의붓자매

🇸🇦 أخت غير شقيقة

🇨🇿 nevlastní sestra

🇸🇰 nevlastná sestra

🇨🇳 继妹

🇸🇮 mačeha sestra

🇮🇸 stjúpsystir

🇰🇿 қосымша әпке

🇬🇪 დედოფლური და

🇦🇿 övlad bacı

🇲🇽 hermana adoptiva

Etymology

The term 'stepsister' originated from the combination of the prefix 'step-', deriving from the Old English 'stæpe', which denotes a relation through marriage rather than blood. The use of 'step-' to describe familial relationships appears in several historical contexts, typically indicating a secondary relationship that arises when family members are brought together through marriage. The word 'sister' comes from the Old English 'sweostor' and the Proto-Germanic 'swestōr', emphasizing the bond among siblings. Consequently, 'stepsister' became a formalized term in English to refer to a female sibling that is not biologically related, specifically one who emerges from a new family situation through marriage rather than blood ties. This term has evolved within the broader context of modern family dynamics, which often include blended families as societal norms change.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,112, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.