What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sibling
Example
My sibling and I used to fight a lot when we were younger. [sibling: noun]
Example
She has three siblings, two brothers, and a sister. [siblings: plural noun]
relative
Example
I have a lot of relatives living in different parts of the world. [relative: noun]
Example
He is my distant relative on my mother's side of the family. [relative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sibling is a more commonly used word than relative in everyday language, as it is a more specific term that is used frequently in family conversations. Relative is a less common word that is typically used in more formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sibling and relative?
Relative is a more formal word than sibling, as it is often used in legal or official documents to describe family relationships. Sibling is a more casual word that is used in everyday conversations among family members.
