Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
monozygous twin

monozygous twin

6.3
One of two twins who develop from the same egg and have the same genes
  • noun
  • /ˌmɒnəˈzaɪɡəs twɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gemelo monozigótico
  • Researchers study monozygous twins to better understand the role of genetics in human traits.

Examples

  • A monozygous twin shares the same DNA as their sibling.

  • A monozygous twin can serve as a perfect genetic match for organ donation.

  • She was surprised to learn that her grandmother was a monozygous twin.

  • Do you know any monozygous twins?

  • Researchers study monozygous twins to better understand the role of genetics in human traits.

  • She was surprised to learn that her grandmother was a monozygous twin.

  • A monozygous twin can serve as a perfect genetic match for organ donation.

Synonyms

identical twin
vsmonozygous twin
30 3.0

A twin born from one egg who has the same DNA

is the scientific or technical label for the same concept
monozygotic twin
vsmonozygous twin
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A person who has the same genes as their twin because they come from one egg

is the identical term but uses a different word ending

How Genetically Identical

monozygous twin
  • Specialized
6.3

Surface Forms

monozygous twin singular
monozygous twins plural

Morphology

monozygous + twin

The meaning is compositional: 'monozygous' (sharing a single zygote/genetic origin) modifies 'twin', so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to an identical twin that shares the same genetic material. Note that 'monozygous' is a technical term and may be unknown to many B1 learners, but given knowledge of the parts the MWE's meaning is predictable.

Etymology

Monozygous twin comes from the idea that mono means 'one' and zygous comes from a word for a fertilized 'egg'. A monozygous twin is a twin that grew from that single egg and so shares the same genes, which is why the term means 'identical twin'.