identical twin

noun

1. one of a pair of twins who develop from a single fertilized ovum and therefore have the same genotype, are of the same sex, and usually resemble each other closely.

Word History and Origins

Origin of identical twin¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Davis notes that our immune system is highly plastic and responsive to past experiences—so much so that 70% of its measurable components differ between identical twins just a couple of years after birth.

From MIT Technology Review

The new findings, though, suggest that genetic changes might also explain why identical twins aren’t truly identical.

From Science News For Students

Researchers in Iceland recruited 381 pairs of identical twins.

From Science News For Students

Any differences in the health of identical twins were thought to be due to different environmental exposures.

From Science News For Students

The package is a follow-up to NASA’s Twins Study, which compared Scott Kelly to his earthbound identical twin brother, fellow astronaut Mark Kelly, as Scott spent most of a year in space.

From Popular-Science

In the midst of these efforts, she was raising identical twin sons, Julian—“the reserved one” and Joaquin—“the outgoing one.”

From The Daily Beast

It follows the lives of the identical twin chorus girls Dora and Nora Chance.

From The Daily Beast

And get this: she had an identical twin, and not only a twin but one in the same business she was in: advice columnist.

From The Daily Beast

First his identical twin brother, Jason London, and mother, Debbie Nielsen, popped up on E!

From The Daily Beast

She lives with her husband and two children in Manhattan—as does her identical twin, New York Times reporter Robin Pogrebin.

From The Daily Beast

Mindy, Cindy's identical twin sister, had suffered a winter fever.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fraternal twin
• Siamese twin