Is Half Sibling Hyphenated?

Unfortunately, we're often as unsure about hyphens as we are about handshakes. Do we shake hands, for instance, with our girl-friend? (Nope. It's "girlfriend.") With our half-brother? (Nope. ... * A much-observed rule that's much observed: When two words forming a compound adjective precede a noun, use a hyphen.

Does half sister have a hyphen?

“Ex-” always takes a hyphen, while your “ex-wife's” “great-grandfather” or her “half sister” may or may not be hyphenated. But hyphens can be overused, too.

Does half brother need a hyphen?

Also, when half is a kinship term it does not take a hyphen: half brother. The word great usually forms open compounds, such as great ape and great circle, and sometimes combines solidly, as in greatcoat and greathearted.