twain

1 of 3

noun

ˈtwān How to pronounce twain (audio)
Synonyms of twainnext
1
: two
2
: couple, pair

twain

2 of 3

pronoun

: two
especially : two fathoms
mark twain

twain

3 of 3

adjective

archaic
: two

Synonyms of twain

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Noun

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Examples of twain in a Sentence

Noun I like rap and my parents like country music, and never the twain shall meet in our house.
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Noun
Nobody quite knew where the twain should meet. — Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Nov. 2025 In beauty, there’s truth and trend — and rarely the twain shall meet. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025 The twain have met, with disastrous results. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026 Wondering where the twain meet with these veteran politicians? — Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for twain

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English twēgen — more at two

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of twain was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing twain

Rhymes for twain

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Browse Nearby Words

twaddly
twain
Twain
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Cite this Entry

“Twain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twain. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

twain

noun
ˈtwān
1
: two sense 1
2
: two persons or things : couple, pair

Biographical Definition

Twain

biographical name

Mark see clemens

More from Merriam-Webster on twain

Nglish: Translation of twain for Spanish Speakers

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