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twin

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈtwɪn// UK //twˈɪn// twin
  1. 1 sibling (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    one of two children who are born to the same mother at the same time.

    either of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy and born at the same birth.

    Example

    My sister is my twin, but we don't look exactly the same.

    Example

    Research involving identical twins often helps scientists understand the complex relationship between genetic inheritance and environmental influences.
  2. 2 matching object (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    one of two things that are exactly the same or very similar.

    either of two similar or closely related objects or entities that form a pair.

    Example

    The tall buildings were twins, standing on opposite sides of the river.

    Example

    The architect designed the library as a twin to the existing museum, mirroring its limestone facade and arched windows.
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  1. 3 hotel room (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a room in a hotel that has two separate beds.

    a hotel accommodation containing two single beds, intended for two occupants.

    Example

    We booked a twin because it was cheaper than getting two separate rooms.

    Example

    The travel agent confirmed that the group would require five twins and three singles to accommodate all the participants comfortably.
    • twin room
  2. 4 aircraft (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Aviation

    an airplane that has two engines.

    a fixed-wing aircraft powered by two separate engines.

    Example

    The pilot preferred flying the twin because it felt safer over the ocean.

    Example

    The flight school recently added a light twin to its fleet to provide students with multi-engine transition training.
    • twin engine
  3. 5 friend (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang American English

    a friendly way to talk to a male friend.

    a colloquial term of address used between peers, typically males, to indicate rapport.

    Example

    What's up, twin? I haven't seen you in ages.

    Example

    The greeting 'twin' has gained popularity in certain urban dialects as a marker of close social alignment between friends.
  4. 6 matching or double (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    used to describe two things that are the same or happen together.

    forming a matching pair or occurring in a dual capacity.

    Example

    The country faces the twin problems of high prices and low wages.

    Example

    The government is currently grappling with the twin challenges of rising inflation and a cooling housing market.
  5. 7 to link together (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    to connect two things or places together, like two cities in different countries.

    to link or associate two entities, especially to establish a formal sister-city relationship.

    Example

    My hometown is twinned with a small village in France.

    Example

    The local council voted to twin the borough with a coastal city in Japan to encourage cultural exchange and tourism.

    Usage

    often used in the passive voice with 'with'
Etymology 1

PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English twinne, twynne, from Old English ġetwin, ġetwinn (“twin, multiple”, noun) and twinn (“twin, two-fold, double, two by two”, adjective), from Proto-Germanic twinjaz, twinahz (“two each”), from Proto-Indo-European dwino- (“twin”), from dwóh₁ (“two”). Cognate with Scots twyn (“twin”), Dutch tweeling (“twin”), German Zwilling (“twin”), Danish tvilling (“twin”), Swedish tvilling (“twin”), Faroese tvinnur (“a double set”), Icelandic tvenna (“duo, pair”), Lithuanian dvynys (“twin”), Russian двойня (dvojnja, “twin”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English twin, twyn, from Old English twin, twinn (“twin; double”, adjective), from Proto-Germanic twīhnaz (“occurring in a pair; twofold; double”), from Proto-Indo-European dwóh₁ (“two”). Cognate with Icelandic tvennur (“double”), Gothic 𐍄𐍅𐌴𐌹𐌷𐌽𐌰𐌹 (tweihnai, “two each”).

Idioms1 entry

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