Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If two or more things, actions, or qualities are the ~, or if one is the ~ as another, they are very like each other in some way.
In essence, all computers are the ~...
People with the ~ experience in the job should be paid the ~...
Driving a boat is not the ~ as driving a car...
I want my son to wear the ~ clothes as everyone else at the school...
ADJ: the ADJ, oft ADJ as n/-ing
2.
If something is happening the ~ as something else, the two things are happening in a way that is similar or exactly the ~.
I mean, it’s a relationship, the ~ as a marriage is a relationship...
He just wanted the war to end, the ~ as Wally did.
PHRASE
3.
You use ~ to indicate that you are referring to only one place, time, or thing, and not to different ones.
Bernard works at the ~ institution as Arlette...
It’s impossible to get everybody together at the ~ time...
John just told me that your birthday is on the ~ day as mine.
ADJ: the ADJ, oft ADJ n as n, ADJ n that
4.
Something that is still the ~ has not changed in any way.
Taking ingredients from the ~ source means the beers stay the ~...
Only 17% said the economy would improve, but 25% believed it would stay the ~.
ADJ: the ADJ
5.
You use the ~ to refer to something that has previously been mentioned or suggested.
We made the decision which was right for us. Other parents must do the ~...
We like him very much and he says the ~ about us.
PRON: the PRON
•
Same is also an adjective.
Dwight Eisenhower possessed much the ~ ability to appear likeable.
ADJ: the ADJ
6.
You say ‘~ here’ in order to suggest that you feel the ~ way about something as the person who has just spoken to you, or that you have done the ~ thing. (INFORMAL, SPOKEN)
‘Nice to meet you,’ said Michael. ‘Same here,’ said Mary Ann...
= likewise
CONVENTION formulae
7.
You say ‘~ to you’ in response to someone who wishes you well with something. (INFORMAL, SPOKEN)
‘Have a nice Easter.’—‘And the ~ to you Bridie.’
CONVENTION formulae
8.
You say ‘~ again’ when you want to order another drink of the ~ kind as the one you have just had. (INFORMAL, SPOKEN)
Give Roger another pint, Imogen, and I’ll have the ~ again.
PHRASE
9.
You can say all the ~ or just the ~ to introduce a statement which indicates that a situation or your opinion has not changed, in spite of what has happened or what has just been said.
...jokes that she did not understand but laughed at just the ~.
PHRASE: PHR with cl
10.
If you say ‘It’s all the ~ to me’, you mean that you do not care which of several things happens or is chosen. (mainly SPOKEN)
Whether I’ve got a moustache or not it’s all the ~ to me...
PHRASE
11.
When two or more people or things are thought to be separate and you say that they are one and the ~, you mean that they are in fact one single person or thing.
Luckily, Nancy’s father and her attorney were one and the ~ person...
I’m willing to work for the party because its interests and my interests are one and the ~.
PHRASE: v-link PHR
12.
at the ~ time: see time