same

[ seym ]

adjective

1. identical with what is about to be or has just been mentioned:

   This street is the same one we were on yesterday.

   Synonyms: equal, interchangeable, corresponding

   Antonyms: different

2. being one or identical though having different names, aspects, etc.:

   These are the same rules though differently worded.

   Synonyms: equal, interchangeable, corresponding

3. agreeing in kind, amount, etc.; corresponding:

   two boxes of the same dimensions.

   Synonyms: equal, interchangeable, corresponding

   Antonyms: unlike

4. unchanged in character, condition, etc.:

   It's the same town after all these years.

pronoun

1. the same person or thing.
2. the same kind or category of thing:

   You're having steak? I'll have the same, but very rare.

3. the very person, thing, or set just mentioned:

   Sighted sub sank same.

4. the same, in the same manner; in an identical or similar way:

   I see the same through your glasses as I do through mine.

same

/ seɪm /

adjective

1. being the very one

   she is wearing the same hat she wore yesterday

2. 1. being the one previously referred to; aforesaid
   2. ( as noun )

      a note received about same

3. 1. identical in kind, quantity, etc

      two girls of the same age

   2. ( as noun )

      we'd like the same, please

4. unchanged in character or nature

   his attitude is the same as ever

5. all the same
   1. Alsojust the same nevertheless; yet
   2. immaterial

      it's all the same to me

adverb

1. in an identical manner

Usage

The use of same exemplified in if you send us your order for the materials, we will deliver same tomorrow is common in business and official English. In general English, however, this use of the word is avoided: may I borrow your book? I'll return it (not same ) tomorrow

Word History and Origins

Origin of same¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; Old English same (adverb); cognate with Old Norse samr, Greek homós, Sanskrit samá

Word History and Origins

Origin of same¹

C12: from Old Norse samr; related to Old English adverbial phrase swā same likewise, Gothic sama, Latin similis, Greek homos same

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. all the same,
   1. notwithstanding; nevertheless:

      You don't have to go but we wish you would, all the same.

   2. of no difference; immaterial:

      It's all the same to me whether our team loses or wins.

2. just the same,
   1. in the same manner.
   2. nevertheless:

      It was a success, but it could easily have failed, just the same.

More idioms and phrases containing same

• all the same
• amount to the same thing
• at the same time
• by the same token
• cast in the same mold
• great minds (run in the same channel)
• in the same boat
• in the same breath
• in the same league
• one and the same
• on the same wavelength

Synonym Study

Same, similar agree in indicating a correspondence between two or more things. Same means alike in kind, degree, quality; that is, identical (with): to eat the same food every day; at the same price. Similar means like, resembling, having certain qualities in common, somewhat the same as, of nearly the same kind as: similar in appearance; Don't treat them as if they were the same when they are only similar.

Example Sentences

This is according to the same rules that govern their contributions to the UN - roughly based on their national wealth.

From BBC

In other words, Villa aren’t passing it out from the back in the same measured way.

From BBC

Instead of buying shares from an existing index fund, you would buy shares of the same companies directly.

From Salon

Republicans in the Senate, who have access to the same information as any member of the public, have already signaled that nothing they have learned so far is worth blocking an appointment over.

From Salon

The England senior men, Lions and Young Lions, as well as the senior women, have all used this facility and left for winter tours in the same two-week period in November.

From BBC