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

Germany and America were never identical twins—but the family resemblance often proves eerie.

From Salon

There I met a pair of busty identical twins who were hawking the most saccharine perfume I’d ever smelled.

From Los Angeles Times

I was wracking my brain to think of another case in show business where there are identical twins who are acting, not together as a team.

From Salon

Host country Sweden is represented by identical twins Marcus & Martinus -– who, confusingly enough, hail from Norway — with the confidently titled “Unforgettable.”

From Seattle Times

Conjoined twins occur once in every 50,000 to 60,000 births when identical twins from a single embryo fail to separate.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• fraternal twin
• Siamese twin