identical
American
adjective
-
Also called: numerically identical. being one and the same individual
Cicero and Tully are identical
-
Also called: quantitatively identical. exactly alike, equal, or agreeing
-
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
Measurement and Data, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Measurement and Data
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 Chargers lost their opener to the Arizona Cardinals by an identical score — 26-14.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
Skimmers, which fit snugly over payment terminals and look nearly identical, electronically capture the account number and user PIN during a purchase.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
The district’s numbers are somewhat different because the counting methods and counting dates are not identical.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
The two studies therefore address related, but not identical, questions.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
I got my hair from Mom’s side of the family, thankfully, because both Strong men had identical bald spots peeking through their short afros.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
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.
