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  • Word comparison: identical vs. fraternal

identical vs. fraternal

identical vs. fraternal: What's the difference?

Identical and fraternal describe types of twins. Identical twins occur when one fertilized egg splits into two fetuses, developing into two babies with identical genes. Fraternal twins happen when two eggs are fertilized at once, sharing half their genes (as they would with other siblings), and grow together in the same womb.

identical

adjective

  1. similar or alike in every way.

    The two cars are identical except for their license plates.

  2. being the very same; selfsame.

    This is the identical room we stayed in last year.

  3. agreeing exactly.

    identical opinions.

    Synonyms: equal, congruent, congruous

fraternal

adjective

  1. of or befitting a brother or brothers; brotherly.

  2. of or being a society of men associated in brotherly union, as for mutual aid or benefit.

    a fraternal order; a fraternal association.