identical
ih-DEHN-tihkl
Identical (adj) means Exactly the same in every detail; impossible to tell apart. Example: “The shop sold two identical coats, so I could not choose between them.”
adj
1
Exactly the same in every detail; impossible to tell apart.
"The shop sold two identical coats, so I could not choose between them."
"The two houses on the street are identical, right down to the paint color."
"Her handwriting was identical to her sister's."
2
Of twins, developed from a single fertilized egg and sharing the same genetic makeup.
"Because they are identical twins, even their parents sometimes mix them up."
"Doctors studied the identical twins to learn how genes shape health."
"The identical twins fooled their teacher for weeks."
How to use identical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo alike that there is no difference at all.
Common mistake
Use "identical to" or "identical with," not "identical than."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
identical twins
nearly identical
identical copy
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Word forms
- Plural
- identicals
- Comparative
- more identical
- Superlative
- most identical
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shop sold two _____ coats, so I could not choose between them.
Etymology
From Latin idem, "the same," via Medieval Latin identicus.
Synonyms
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indistinguishable
matching
alike
duplicate
exact
interchangeable
indifferent
nondifferent
one and the same
self
undifferent
undifferentiated
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for identical
See all rhymes for identical →Frequently asked questions
What does “identical” mean?
The word “identical” means exactly the same in every detail; impossible to tell apart. In plain terms, so alike that there is no difference at all.
How do you pronounce “identical”?
“Identical” is pronounced ih-DEHN-tihkl (/ɪˈdɛntɪkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “identical” in a sentence?
Here is “identical” used in a sentence: “The two houses on the street are identical, right down to the paint color.”
What is another word for “identical”?
Words with a similar meaning to “identical” include indifferent, nondifferent, one and the same, self, undifferent and undifferentiated.
What is the opposite of “identical”?
The opposite of “identical” — its antonyms — are contrasting, different, distinct, non-identical and opposite.
What part of speech is “identical”?
“Identical” is an adjective.
Where does the word “identical” come from?
The word “identical” comes from Medieval Latin. From Latin idem, "the same," via Medieval Latin identicus.
Is “identical” a common word?
“Identical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'identical' and 'similar'?
'Identical' means exactly the same in every detail, with nothing to tell the items apart. 'Similar' means alike in some respects but not the same. Two similar cars might share a color and shape, while two identical cars would match in every feature.
What is the difference between identical twins and fraternal twins?
Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg that splits, so they share the same genetic makeup. Fraternal, or non-identical, twins develop from two separate eggs and are no more genetically alike than any other siblings.
Can two things be 'almost identical'?
Strictly, identical means exactly the same, so in careful usage nothing is 'almost identical.' In everyday speech, however, 'almost identical' is widely used to mean nearly indistinguishable, with only tiny differences.
Is it 'identical to' or 'identical with'?
'Identical to' is the most common and widely accepted form, as in 'this copy is identical to the original.' 'Identical with' is also correct and appears in more formal or technical writing.
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