adj.
Pronunciation: ' s ā m
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse samr; akin to Old High German sama same, Latin simulis like, simul together, at the same time, similis like, sem- one, Greek homos same, hama together, hen-, heis one
Date: 13th century
1 a : resembling in every relevant respect b : conforming in every respect ― used with as
2 a : being one without addition, change, or discontinuance : IDENTICAL b : being the one under discussion or already referred to
3 : corresponding so closely as to be indistinguishable
4 : equal in size, shape, value, or importance ― usually used with the or a demonstrative (as that, those ) in all senses
synonyms SAME , SELFSAME , VERY , IDENTICAL , EQUIVALENT , EQUAL mean not different or not differing from one another. SAME may imply and SELFSAME always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things <took the same route> <derived from the selfsame source>. VERY like SELFSAME may imply identity, or, like SAME may imply likeness in kind <the very point I was trying to make>. IDENTICAL may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details < identical results>. EQUIVALENT implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance <two houses equivalent in market value>. EQUAL implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality < equal shares in the business>.