Pronunciation: [bˈɪɡ sˈɪstə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "big sister" follows the rules of English pronunciation. The initial sound /b/ is followed by the vowel sound /ɪ/, which is spelled with the letter "i". The following consonant sound /g/ is spelled with "g". Lastly, the word ends with the sound /s/ spelled with the letters "s-t-e-r" to indicate the familial relation. In IPA phonetic transcription, "big sister" is spelled /bɪɡ ˈsɪstər/.
A big sister refers to a female sibling who holds an elder position among the siblings in a family. Typically, a big sister is a sibling who was born prior to her younger sister or brother and possesses a higher age and maturity level. This term is primarily used within the context of sibling relationships and familial dynamics. A big sister is often perceived as a nurturing and protective figure in the family, responsible for guiding and supporting her younger sibling(s) as they navigate through life. She takes on the role of a mentor, providing advice, encouragement, and emotional support.
Beyond the biological realm, the term "big sister" can also be used to describe a close female friend, cousin, or even an older mentor figure who fulfills a similar role in one's life. In these cases, the connection may not be based on blood ties, but on a deep bond and shared experiences. A big sister is known for her reliability, wisdom, and understanding nature, often available to offer a listening ear, share experiences, and provide valuable guidance. Overall, the term "big sister" encompasses the essence of an important familial or supportive relationship, where an older female figure assumes a leading role to support and care for her younger counterparts.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "big sister" originated from Old English and Middle English languages.
The word "big" in this context refers to the meaning of "large" or "tall", and it comes from the Old English word "beag", which meant "powerful" or "of considerable size". Over time, "beag" evolved into "big".
The word "sister" comes from the Old English word "sustor", which itself stems from the Proto-Germanic word "*swestēr". This root word has equivalents in many Germanic languages, indicating a common ancestry.
Therefore, the etymology of "big sister" can be traced back to Old English and Proto-Germanic languages.
