Definition

1. Noun:

   • One of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy: A "twin" is one of two children or animals born to the same mother in a single birth.
   • A duplicate or counterpart: Something that is exactly like another thing, forming a pair.

2. Adjective:

   • Being two identical or similar things that form a pair: Used to describe one of two things that are very similar or identical, often connected.
   • Relating to twins: Pertaining to or being a twin.

3. Verb:

   • To give birth to twins: For a mother to have two offspring at one birth.
   • To pair or link closely: To bring two things, people, or ideas together as a pair or to combine them.
   • To duplicate or match exactly: To be an exact counterpart of something else.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She is my twin; we were born just minutes apart.
  • The two buildings are architectural twins.
• Adjective:
  • They live in twin houses on the same street.
  • She has a twin sister.
• Verb:
  • The ewe twinned last spring.
  • The gallery will twin the classic painting with a modern interpretation.
  • His actions twinned perfectly with his words.

Advanced Usage

• "Identical twin": A twin developed from a single fertilized egg, sharing the same genetic makeup.
  • As identical twins, they look remarkably alike.
• "Fraternal twin": A twin developed from two separate eggs, not genetically identical.
  • They are fraternal twins, a boy and a girl.
• "Twin with": To link or pair one city, organization, etc., with another as an act of partnership.
  • Our city is twinned with a town in France.

Variants and Related Words

• Twinned (adj.): Paired or coupled.
  • The twinned themes of love and loss run through the novel.
• Twinning (n.): The act of pairing or linking.
  • The twinning of the two universities has been very successful.

Synonyms

• Noun: Double, counterpart, duplicate, match.
• Adjective: Paired, matching, dual, twofold.
• Verb: Pair, couple, match, duplicate.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Twin up (with) (less common): To form a pair or partnership with someone.
  • For the project, you will need to twin up with a classmate.

Related Idioms

• Twin peaks: Two similar, prominent high points (literal or figurative).
  • The company's success reached twin peaks in 1995 and 2010.
• Evil twin: A concept of a duplicate with opposite, malevolent characteristics.
  • In the story, the hero must confront his evil twin.

Adjective

1. being two identical

Noun

1. a duplicate copy
2. a waterfall in the Snake River in southern Idaho
3. (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Gemini
4. either of two offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy

Verb

1. give birth to twins
2. grow as twins
   • twin crystals
3. bring two objects, ideas, or people together
   • This fact is coupled to the other one
   • Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
   • The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
4. duplicate or match
   • The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse