identical

American  

[ahy-den-ti-kuhl, ih-den-] / aɪˈdɛn tɪ kəl, ɪˈdɛn- /

adjective

1. similar or alike in every way.

   The two cars are identical except for their license plates.

2. being the very same; selfsame.

   This is the identical room we stayed in last year.

3. agreeing exactly.

   identical opinions.

   Synonyms:

   equal, congruent, congruous

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identical British  

/ aɪˈdɛntɪkəl /

adjective

1. Also called: numerically identical.  being one and the same individual

   Cicero and Tully are identical

2. Also called: quantitatively identical.  exactly alike, equal, or agreeing

3. 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

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Other Word Forms

• identically adverb
• identicalness noun
• nonidentical adjective
• pseudoidentical adjective
• quasi-identical adjective
• quasi-identically adverb
• unidentical adjective
• unidentically adverb

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:

• identical vs. fraternal

Example Sentences

“That is to be worn on your gown,” Aunt Kitty explained, slowly turning an identical one in her hands and scowling.

From Literature

The New York attorney general also said Capital One created a second high-yield program called 360 Performance Savings, which was nearly identical to 360 Savings, but had a much higher rate.

From The Wall Street Journal

The findings, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, show that blending two materials with nearly identical chemical makeup but very different crystal structures can produce an entirely new structure.

From Science Daily

Romero, 27, has since deleted that post and uploaded a new - almost identical statement - omitting the part about telling lies but still appearing to criticise senior figures at the club.

From BBC

The fans wanted more this year - perhaps it is time for Yates' less decorated, identical twin brother Adam to provide it.

From BBC

Related Words

• exact
• indistinguishable
• interchangeable