same
saym
Same (adj) means Identical; not different from another thing or from itself at an earlier point. Example: “We stayed at the same hotel we'd used the year before.”
adj
1
Identical; not different from another thing or from itself at an earlier point.
"We stayed at the same hotel we'd used the year before."
"His story was the same every time he told it."
"She wore the same red coat she had worn yesterday."
2
Alike in every important way, even if technically two separate things.
"These two laptops are basically the same, just different colours."
"The twins wear the same style of glasses, so people confuse them."
"Both shops sell the same sort of bread, only at different prices."
pron
1
The identical thing already mentioned; used to avoid repeating a noun.
"If you order the soup, I'll have the same."
"You always order a tea with milk, and I'll take the same."
"She ordered a pasta dish, and he asked for the same."
intj
1
Used to agree with something someone just said.
""I could really use a holiday." "Same.""
How to use same
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot different; identical or equivalent.
Memory tip
When "same" replaces a noun rather than describing one, it takes "the" in front: "the same" — never just "same" on its own in formal writing.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
the same as
much the same
all the same
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more same
- Superlative
- most same
Fill the gap
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We stayed at the _____ hotel we'd used the year before.
Etymology
From Old Norse samr and Old English same, both descending from a very old Germanic root meaning "same" — related to the "-some" ending seen in words like "handsome."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for same
See all rhymes for same →Frequently asked questions
What does “same” mean?
The word “same” means identical; not different from another thing or from itself at an earlier point. In plain terms, not different; identical or equivalent.
How do you pronounce “same”?
“Same” is pronounced saym (/seɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “same” in a sentence?
Here is “same” used in a sentence: “We stayed at the same hotel we'd used the year before.”
What is the opposite of “same”?
The opposite of “same” — its antonyms — are another, different, opposite and other.
What part of speech is “same”?
Depending on how it is used, “same” can be an adjective, a pronoun and an intj.
Where does the word “same” come from?
The word “same” comes from Old English. From Old Norse samr and Old English same, both descending from a very old Germanic root meaning "same" — related to the "-some" ending seen in words like "handsome.".
Is “same” a common word?
“Same” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “same” have?
“Same” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: identical; not different from another thing or from itself at an earlier point.
What is the difference between same and similar?
'Same' means identical — exactly alike, or the very one referred to. 'Similar' means alike in some ways but not identical, with differences still remaining. Two people wearing the same dress own matching, indistinguishable dresses, while two wearing similar dresses have ones that merely resemble each other. Same means no difference; similar allows some.
What is the opposite of 'same'?
The main opposite is 'different.' Where 'same' means identical or unchanged, 'different' means not alike or altered. Other antonyms fit specific contexts — 'other' when pointing to a separate thing, or 'various' and 'distinct' when stressing variety. But 'different' is the natural, everyday opposite in almost every situation.
What is the difference between 'same' and 'identical'?
They overlap heavily, but 'identical' is stronger and more precise, stressing that two things match in every detail. 'Same' can mean identical, but it can also mean the very same single thing — 'we sat at the same table.' Identical always implies two separate things that are exactly alike.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing same in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
The brothers, who were born just one minute apart, said studying for the same degree was "a natural decision" because they both enjoyed science throughout their school years.
From
People · Jul 25, 2026
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