identity

Identity is the unique set of characteristics that can be used to identify a person as themself and no one else.

The word can be used in different ways in different contexts.

On a personal level, identity often refers to a person’s sense of self, meaning how they view themself as compared to other people.

Practically speaking, a person’s identity is who they really are. A detective may try to determine the identity of a suspect—meaning who that person is (including things like their real name). A case of mistaken identity involves someone being mistaken for someone they are not. Superheroes often have secret identities.

The concept of identity is complex and can involve all kinds of characteristics, qualities, experiences, interests, and other aspects of a person that make them distinct from anyone else.

In the term identity politics, identity refers to the cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, social, or other facets that a person considers as inherent to who they are, especially in relation to their belonging in a particular group or community of similar people.

Identity can involve physical traits, such as eye color or height, but it doesn’t necessarily involve such things. For example, the crime of identity theft usually involves stealing someone’s personal information, not their physical appearance (except in the movie Face/Off).

Example: The journalist refused to reveal the identity of her source. 

Example: Being a Black bisexual woman is a huge and important part of my identity, but it’s not my whole identity: I’m a coder; I’m a Knicks fan; I love dogs—my identity can’t be easily defined with a few words.

The first records of the word identity come from around 1560. It ultimately comes from the Latin idem, meaning “the same.” Generally speaking, the traits that make up a person’s identity are what identifies them as remaining the same under different circumstances. For example, a person doesn’t become a different person just because they dye their hair or change their name or lose an arm. (In another sense, such a change could be considered to change a person’s identity by adding another unique aspect to it.)

Conception and discussion of identity has evolved over time, especially in the context of sexual identity, gender identity, and racial identity. In these contexts, identities relating to these characteristics were traditionally defined with rigid categories. In contrast, many modern conceptions of these aspects of identity place them along a spectrum or don’t limit them to any predefined categories.

To learn more about the complex aspects of identity—both the word and the concept—take a look at why identity was chosen as the Dictionary.com Word of the Year in 2015.

What are some synonyms for identity?

• individuality

What are some words that share a root or word element with identity? 

• gender identity
• identity politics
• identity theft
• identity crisis
• identify
• identification

What are some words that often get used in discussing identity?

• unique
• self
• gender
• sexuality
• race
• personality
• secret
• mistaken

Identity is a complex concept, and the word can be used in various ways in different contexts.

Dammit, Variety! Some of us don't want the identity of the killer in Child 44 flat-out told to us in the middle of the review!

— Mathew Buck (@FB_BMB) April 16, 2015

The way it feels so natural being with a women, I can't believe I neglected this part of my identity for so long 🥺👉🏼👈🏼

— Yahaira Cáceres (@hai_rac) October 16, 2020

Establishing a professional identity often involves managing perceptions of racial identity.

This is especially the case when you don’t “racially match” your job.

— Vijay Ramjattan (@Vijay_Ramjattan) October 16, 2020

A person’s identity can involve which of the following things?

A. their gender
B. their interests
C. their job
D. all of the above