identical

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.

“Identical” is pronounced ih-DEHN-tihkl (/ɪˈdɛntɪkl̩/ in IPA).

Here is “identical” used in a sentence: “The two houses on the street are identical, right down to the paint color.”

Words with a similar meaning to “identical” include indifferent, nondifferent, one and the same, self, undifferent and undifferentiated.

The opposite of “identical” — its antonyms — are contrasting, different, distinct, non-identical and opposite.

“Identical” is an adjective.

The word “identical” comes from Medieval Latin. From Latin idem, "the same," via Medieval Latin identicus.

“Identical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

'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.

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.

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.

'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.