identical
American
adjective
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Also called: numerically identical. being one and the same individual
Cicero and Tully are identical
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Also called: quantitatively identical. exactly alike, equal, or agreeing
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designating either or both of a pair of twins of the same sex who developed from a single fertilized ovum that split into two Compare fraternal
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of identical
First recorded in 1610–20; from Medieval Latin identic(us) identic + -al 1
Compare meaning
How does identical compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
When you're looking for exact replicas, don't waste your time on snowflakes or fingerprints; no two are identical, or exactly the same. Great mind may think alike, but they'll never be identical. Twins, on the other hand, very well may be — if they've come from the same split embryo that is. It makes sense then, that the word identical has linguistic roots in the Latin word idem, meaning "the same."
Vocabulary lists containing identical
List 3
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Measurement and Data, List 1
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Measurement and Data
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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.
Speaking of twins, Kia sent me two, nearly identical Tellurides, one with a hybrid-assisted 2.5-liter under the hood; the other powered by a non-hybrid version of the same engine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026
The Department of Education’s post includes an image of the two characters in seemingly identical stances, outfits and color scheme.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026
The new findings suggest that sauna bathing may produce a comparable short-term response, although this does not mean the two activities provide identical immune benefits.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
Mike and Bob Bryan - the identical twins considered the greatest doubles pair of all-time - said they would support the group considering legal action to protect their discipline.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
I’m wearing my birthday gift from Celia—a new purple flowered shirt that’s identical to the one I stained the morning of the math exam, minus the smoothie spot.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
