stepsister

[step-sis-ter]

noun

1. one's stepfather's or stepmother's daughter by a previous marriage.

stepsister

/ ˈstɛpˌsɪstə /

noun

1. a daughter of one's stepmother or stepfather by a union with someone other than one's father or mother respectively

Word History and Origins

Origin of stepsister¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; step-, sister

Example Sentences

Hahn: It’s interesting, Mark, because I’ve always felt kind of like basically just invited to the party, so I always have felt like the messy stepsister on the outside looking in.

From Los Angeles Times

I didn’t choose “Cinderella,” or the stepsister, the story of “Cinderella” through the stepsister chose me.

From Salon

Despite the family's efforts to protect them, her younger stepsisters found out that their father and mother were trapped under the rubble from other children at school.

From BBC

And all the dreamier if they put that team in her town — and not that stepsister city across the river.

From Los Angeles Times

But rereading Grimm as an adult, particularly the scene where one stepsister cuts off her toes to fit the glass slipper, changed my view.

From Salon

Related Words

• aunt 
• cousin 
• father 
• folk 
• mother 
• niece 
• sibling 
• uncle