synonym

American  

[sin-uh-nim] / ˈsɪn ə nɪm /

noun

1. a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in the same language, as happy, joyful, elated. A dictionary of synonyms and antonyms (or opposites), such as Thesaurus.com, is called a thesaurus.

2. a word or expression accepted as another name for something, as Arcadia for pastoral simplicity or Wall Street for U.S. financial markets; metonym.

3. Biology. one of two or more scientific names applied to a single taxon.

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synonym British  

/ ˈsɪnənɪm /

noun

1. a word that means the same or nearly the same as another word, such as bucket and pail

2. a word or phrase used as another name for something, such as Hellene for a Greek

3. biology a taxonomic name that has been superseded or rejected

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Grammar

English, with its long history of absorbing terminology from a wealth of other tongues, is a language particularly rich in synonyms —words so close in meaning that in many contexts they are interchangeable, like the nouns tongue and language in the first part of this sentence. Just about every popular dictionary defines synonym as a term having “the same or nearly the same” meaning as another, but there is an important difference between “the same” and “nearly the same.” Noun synonyms sometimes mean exactly the same thing. A Dalmatian is a coach dog —same dog. A bureau is a chest of drawers. And if you ask for a soda on the east coast of the United States, you’ll get the same drink that asking for a pop will get you farther west. The object referred to remains constant. But forest and wood, though often interchangeable, have different shades of meaning: a forest tends to be larger and denser than a wood. And when we move from nouns to other parts of speech, we almost always find subtle but important differences among synonyms: although the meanings overlap, they differ in emphasis and connotation. A sunset might be described equally well as beautiful or resplendent, but a beautiful baby would not usually be described as resplendent, which implies an especially dazzling appearance. The verbs make and construct mean roughly the same thing, but one is more likely to make a cake but construct a building, which is a more complex undertaking. Lists of synonyms are useful when we are struggling to write and looking for just the right word, but each word must be considered in light of its specific definition. Notes at the bottom of a dictionary entry—especially usage notes and synonym studies—are often where we’ll find the detailed information that allows us to improve (or refine or polish ) our writing.

Other Word Forms

• synonymic adjective
• synonymical adjective
• synonymity noun

Etymology

Origin of synonym

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English sinoneme, from Old French sinonime and Latin synōnymum, from Greek synṓnymon, noun use of neuter of synṓnymos synonymous ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does synonym compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• synonym vs. antonym

Example Sentences

At the time, the word actor was “a synonym for airhead. Well, Reagan was no airhead,” Cannon said in a 2008 interview at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum.

From Los Angeles Times

I will note, however, that my 7-year-old son, who has no concept of romantic appeal, uses this word differently—sometimes as a synonym for coolness and sometimes for intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Affordability isn’t a synonym for inflation, which is the rate of change in the overall price level.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The children have a knack for synonyms,” Penelope explained modestly, although she took great pride in her students’ accomplishments, as all good teachers do.

From Literature

Of course Cassiopeia actually meant synonyms, but it was all lost on Mrs. Clarke.

From Literature