same

American  

[seym] / seɪm /

adjective

1. 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

2. being one or identical though having different names, aspects, etc..

   These are the same rules though differently worded.

   Synonyms:

   equal, interchangeable, corresponding

3. agreeing in kind, amount, etc.; corresponding.

   two boxes of the same dimensions.

   Synonyms:

   equal, interchangeable, corresponding

   Antonyms:

   unlike

4. unchanged in character, condition, etc..

   It's the same town after all these years.

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pronoun

1. the same person or thing.

2. the same kind or category of thing.

   You're having steak? I'll have the same, but very rare.

3. the very person, thing, or set just mentioned.

   Sighted sub sank same.

4. 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

1. all the same,

   1. notwithstanding; nevertheless.

      You don't have to go but we wish you would, all the same.

   2. of no difference; immaterial.

      It's all the same to me whether our team loses or wins.

2. just the same,

   1. in the same manner.

   2. nevertheless.

      It was a success, but it could easily have failed, just the same.

same British  

/ seɪm /

adjective

1. being the very one

   she is wearing the same hat she wore yesterday

2. 1. being the one previously referred to; aforesaid

   2. ( as noun )

      a note received about same

3. 1. identical in kind, quantity, etc

      two girls of the same age

   2. ( as noun )

      we'd like the same, please

4. unchanged in character or nature

   his attitude is the same as ever

5. 1. Also: just the same.  nevertheless; yet

   2. immaterial

      it's all the same to me

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adverb

1. in an identical manner

same More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing same

• all the same
• amount to the same thing
• at the same time
• by the same token
• cast in the same mold
• great minds (run in the same channel)
• in the same boat
• in the same breath
• in the same league
• on the same wavelength
• one and the same

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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

I have periodically had the same “problem” with NFL, college football, and college basketball games.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2026

It's exactly the same with McGinn, who was out for a few weeks at the start of the year.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

You will probably need to pay a plumber to ensure the cistern refills properly, but whether that money should go to the same company depends largely on how they respond now.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

At the same time, it cautioned that cost inflation is trending upwards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

You explain the situation, that you’re trying to learn the same thing.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith