# Sisters

/ˈsɪstɝz/ (US) · /sˈɪstəz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sisters
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. female siblings

noun · CEFR A1

two or more girls or women who have the same parents.

For teachers: plural form of sister; female siblings who share a biological or legal parental relationship.

- My two sisters are both older than me and live in London.
- The three sisters maintained a close relationship throughout their adult lives, despite living in different countries for several decades.

### 2. religious order

noun · CEFR B1 · Formal

women who belong to a religious group, such as nuns.

For teachers: members of a religious order of women; often used as a collective title for nuns.

- The sisters at the local convent spend their days helping the poor.
- The sisters of the order were renowned for their dedication to providing healthcare in underserved rural communities during the nineteenth century.

### 3. close female friends

noun · CEFR B2

women who feel a very strong bond, like they are in the same family.

For teachers: women who share a common interest, goal, or strong emotional bond, often used in the context of feminism or social movements.

- They weren't related by blood, but they were sisters in spirit.
- The activists stood together as sisters, united by their shared commitment to achieving equal pay in the workplace.

## Examples

- My two sisters are both older than me.
- The three sisters grew up in a small house and remained close throughout their adult lives.
- The novel explores the complex emotional dynamics between the four sisters as they navigate the challenges of the American Civil War.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.