Identical — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ī-ˈden-ti-kəl/ iden·ti·cal

Meaning & Definition of Identical

Identical (adjective)

  1. being the same, selfsame
  2. having such close resemblance as to be essentially the same —often used with to or with
  3. having the same cause or origin

Identical (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being one and not another

    "both families wanted the identical puppy and weren't accepting the argument that its littermates were just as good"

    similar: same, selfsame, very
    opposite: another, different, other
    near: differentiable, discriminable, disparate, dissimilar, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, unalike, unlike, varied, various

  2. resembling another in every respect

    "identical dresses whose only difference is a designer label that fetches a high price"

    similar: coequal, duplicate, equal, even, indistinguishable, same, much of a muchness
    related: akin, alike, analogous, comparable, coordinate, correspondent, corresponding, equivalent, like, look-alike, matching, parallel, similar, such, suchlike, synonymous, tantamount
    opposite: different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike
    near: differentiable, discriminable, divers, miscellaneous, sundry, varied, various

Related Entry: Identical twin (noun)

Identical twin is a different word from Identical. The synonyms below are for identical twin, not for identical.

  1. as in double, mirror image

    similar: carbon copy, double, duplicate, facsimile, likeness, mirror image, replica, ringer, coequal, counterpart, equal, equivalent, like, parallel, peer, rival, analogue, similarity, coordinate, companion, fellow, half, match, mate, twin
    opposite: antipode, antithesis, contrary, converse, opposite, reverse

Related Entry: Identical twins (noun)

Identical twins is a different word from Identical. The synonyms below are for identical twins, not for identical.

  1. as in doubles, mirror images

    similar: carbon copies, doubles, duplicates, facsimiles, likenesses, mirror images, replicas, ringers, coequals, counterparts, equals, equivalents, likes, parallels, peers, rivals, analogues, similarities, coordinates, companions, fellows, halves, matches, mates, twins
    opposite: antipodes, antitheses, contraries, converses, opposites, reverses

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Identical

The most common words with a similar meaning to Identical:

same, selfsame, very, coequal, duplicate, equal, even, indistinguishable, much of a muchness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Identical

Words with the opposite meaning of Identical:

another, different, other, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, unalike, unlike

Related Words for Identical

akin, alike, analogous, comparable, coordinate, correspondent, corresponding, equivalent, like, look-alike, matching, parallel, similar, such, suchlike, synonymous, tantamount

Near Antonyms of Identical

differentiable, discriminable, varied, various, divers, miscellaneous, sundry

Word Forms of Identical

Derived words: identically (adverb), identicalness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Identical

probably from Medieval Latin identicus, from Late Latin identitas

First known use: 1581

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Identical

Words & Phrases Containing Identical

identical twin, self-identical

Frequently Asked Questions about Identical

What does "Identical" mean?

"Identical" means being the same, selfsame. As an adjective, it is defined as: being the same, selfsame. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Identical"?

Other words for "Identical" include same, selfsame, very, coequal, duplicate, equal, even and indistinguishable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Identical" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Identical"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Identical". Common alternatives include same, selfsame, very, coequal, duplicate, equal, even, indistinguishable and much of a muchness.

What is the opposite of "Identical"?

Antonyms of "Identical" include another, different, other, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct and distinctive. Near antonyms include differentiable, discriminable, varied and various.

How do you use "Identical" in a sentence?

Examples of "Identical" in a sentence: "both families wanted the identical puppy and weren't accepting the argument that its littermates were just as good"; "identical dresses whose only difference is a designer label that fetches a high price".

Is "Identical" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Identical" is an adjective.

Is "Identical" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Identical" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Identical"?

"Identical" is pronounced /ī-ˈden-ti-kəl/ and divided into syllables as iden·ti·cal.