same
Americanadjective
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identical with what is about to be or has just been mentioned.
This street is the same one we were on yesterday.
- Synonyms:
- equal, interchangeable, corresponding
- Antonyms:
- different
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being one or identical though having different names, aspects, etc..
These are the same rules though differently worded.
- Synonyms:
- equal, interchangeable, corresponding
-
agreeing in kind, amount, etc.; corresponding.
two boxes of the same dimensions.
- Synonyms:
- equal, interchangeable, corresponding
- Antonyms:
- unlike
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unchanged in character, condition, etc..
It's the same town after all these years.
pronoun
-
the same person or thing.
-
the same kind or category of thing.
You're having steak? I'll have the same, but very rare.
-
the very person, thing, or set just mentioned.
Sighted sub sank same.
-
the same, in the same manner; in an identical or similar way.
I see the same through your glasses as I do through mine.
idioms
-
all the same,
-
notwithstanding; nevertheless.
You don't have to go but we wish you would, all the same.
-
of no difference; immaterial.
It's all the same to me whether our team loses or wins.
-
-
just the same,
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in the same manner.
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nevertheless.
It was a success, but it could easily have failed, just the same.
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adjective
-
being the very one
she is wearing the same hat she wore yesterday
-
-
being the one previously referred to; aforesaid
-
( as noun )
a note received about same
-
-
-
identical in kind, quantity, etc
two girls of the same age
-
( as noun )
we'd like the same, please
-
-
unchanged in character or nature
his attitude is the same as ever
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-
Also: just the same. nevertheless; yet
-
immaterial
it's all the same to me
-
adverb
Usage
The use of same exemplified in if you send us your order for the materials, we will deliver same tomorrow is common in business and official English. In general English, however, this use of the word is avoided: may I borrow your book? I'll return it (not same ) tomorrow
Synonym Usage
Same, similar agree in indicating a correspondence between two or more things. Same means alike in kind, degree, quality; that is, identical (with): to eat the same food every day; at the same price. Similar means like, resembling, having certain qualities in common, somewhat the same as, of nearly the same kind as: similar in appearance; Don't treat them as if they were the same when they are only similar.
Etymology
Origin of same
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; Old English same (adverb); cognate with Old Norse samr, Greek homós, Sanskrit samá
Explanation
Same means identical, similar, or unchanged. If you wear the same outfit as your best friend, your clothes will be exactly alike. That's NOT ok on prom night. You might make the same mistake on one math quiz after another — in other words, you mess up similar problems every time. You can also say that one thing is the same as another if there's an equal amount: "We got the same pay for babysitting last summer." You might wake up at the same time every day and eat the same cereal for breakfast. If so, change it up!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The passengers on the same helicopter as Tree included a Brazilian music producer, Argentine video director and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known online as Gaspi.
From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026
The family solicitor added the Simpsons were determined to know what "lessons have been learned" so that no other families have to go through the same.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
Where you hold a conversation can determine how it goes: A difficult negotiation in the big boss’s office feels different from the same conversation on a walk, or around a small table somewhere neutral.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
“And then more of the same towards the end. Just pretty frustrating.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026
I’m thinking she and I had the same kind of night.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
