same
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- aforementioned, aforesaid
- identical, alike, corresponding, duplicate, equal, twin
- unchanged, changeless, consistent, constant, invariable, unaltered, unvarying

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Antonyms: different
Contrasted words: changeable, fluctuant, inconsistent, inconstant, irregular, variable, varying
Related Words: comparable, like, similar, coequal

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English Thesaurus: the same, just like/exactly like, identical, indistinguishable, equal, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. same¹ S1 W1 /seɪm/ adjective [only before noun]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old Norse; Origin: samr]

1. NOT DIFFERENT
a) the same person, place, thing etc is one particular person etc and not a different one:
He sits in the same chair every night.
They went to the same school.
same as
She was born on the same day as me.
It is those same people who voted for the Democrats who now complain about their policies.
the very same (=the same person or thing and not a different one – used to emphasize that what you are saying seems surprising)
We stood in front of the very same house in which Shakespeare wrote his plays.
b) used to say two or more people, things, events etc are exactly like each other:
Both women were wearing the same dress.
The same thing could happen again.
same as
He gets the same pay as me but he gets his own office.
just/exactly the same something
That’s funny – Simon said exactly the same thing.
The furniture is made in much the same (=almost the same) way as it was 200 years ago.

REGISTER
In written English, people often prefer to say that two amounts or values are equal rather than the same:
They demanded equal pay for work of equal value.

2. NOT CHANGING used to say that a particular person or thing does not change:
Her perfume has always had the same effect on me.
He’s the same old Peter – moody and irritable.

3. at the same time
a) if two things happen at the same time, they both happen together:
Kate and I both went to live in Spain at the same time.
b) used when you want to say that something else is also true:
We don’t want to lose him. At the same time, he needs to realise that company regulations must be obeyed.

4. amount/come to the same thing to have the same result or effect:
It doesn’t matter whether she was happy to leave or not. It amounts to the same thing – she’s gone.

5. the same old story/excuse etc informal something that you have heard many times before – used especially to show disapproval:
It’s the same old story – his wife didn’t really love him.

6. same difference spoken used to say that different actions, behaviour etc have the same result or effect:
‘I could mail the letter or send a fax in the morning.’ ‘Same difference. It still won’t get there on time.’

7. by the same token formal for the same reasons – used when you want to say that something else is also true, especially something very different or surprising:
I realise that he hasn’t come up with any new ideas, but by the same token we haven’t needed any.

8. be in the same boat to be in the same difficult situation that someone else is in:
Others in her profession are in the same boat.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. same² S1 W1 pronoun

1. the same
a) used to say that two or more people or things are exactly like each other:
The coins may look the same but one’s a forgery.
the same as
Your measurements are exactly the same as Dana’s.
Thanks for your help – I’ll do the same for you one day.
b) used to say that a particular person or thing does not change:
Things just won’t be the same without Sam.

REGISTER
In written English, people often prefer to say that an amount or level remains constant rather than stays the same.

2. (and the) same to you! spoken
a) used as a reply to a greeting:
‘Merry Christmas!’ ‘And the same to you, Ben.’
b) used as an angry reply to a rude remark:
‘Up yours!’ ‘Same to you!’

3. just/all the same in spite of a particular situation, opinion etc:
I realise she can be very annoying, but I think you should apologise all the same.

4. all the same in spite of something that you have just mentioned:
I’m not likely to run out of money but, all the same, I’m careful.

5. it’s all the same to somebody used to say that someone does not mind what decision is made, would be pleased with any choice, or does not really care:
If it’s all the same to you, I’ll go this weekend.

6. same here spoken used to say that you feel the same way as someone else:
‘I’m exhausted.’ ‘Same here!’

7. (the) same again used to ask for another drink of the same kind

8. more of the same another person, thing etc like the one just mentioned:
He has produced a string of thrillers, and this movie is just more of the same.
⇒ one and the same at one²(18)


GRAMMAR
Same usually has 'the' before it:
They both gave the same reasons for leaving.
The buildings all look the same.
You can also use 'this’ or 'that' before same when it has a noun after it, to emphasize it:
At that same moment, the telephone rang.
► Same never has 'a' before it:
We went to the same school (NOT a same school).
I’d like the same sort of car as that (NOT a same car as that).
You can say that one thing is the same as another. Do not use 'like' or 'with' after same:
His answer was the same as mine (NOT the same like/with mine).

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. same³ S1 W1 adverb

1. the same (as) in the same way:
‘Rain’ and ‘reign’ are pronounced the same, even though they are spelt differently.
Everyone had to dress the same as a well-known historical figure.

2. same as somebody spoken just like someone else:
I have my pride, same as anyone else.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

same
adj., pron. the same
VERBS be, feel, look, seem, smell, sound, taste They both taste just the same to me.
remain, stay
ADV. exactly, just, precisely I had exactly the same experience.
not altogether, not quite That's not quite the same thing, is it?
almost, basically, broadly, essentially, more or less, nearly, practically, pretty much, roughly, substantially, virtually Your new job will be essentially the same as your old one.
PREP. as Your dress is nearly the same as mine.
PHRASES one and the same We can do the two things at one and the same time.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

same
I.
adverb
BAD: I'd like to visit Vietnam and Malaysia one day, as same as you.
GOOD: I'd like to visit Vietnam and Malaysia one day, the same as you.
GOOD: I'd like to visit Vietnam and Malaysia one day, (just) like you.
BAD: She had a face as same as a beauty queen's.
GOOD: She had a face (just) like a beauty queen's.

Usage Note:
the same as or (just) like (NOT as same as ): 'New York was not the same as I'd imagined. It was worse.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

same
II.
pronoun
BAD: The breakfast was same as usual.
GOOD: The breakfast was the same as usual.
BAD: The milk cartons are same as in Japan.
GOOD: The milk cartons are the same as in Japan.

Usage Note:
the same as (WITH the ): 'Her car is the same as mine.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

same
III.
adjective
BAD: Paris has the same level of pollution with Los Angeles.
GOOD: Paris has the same level of pollution as Los Angeles.
BAD: The belt is made of the same material like the coat.
GOOD: The belt is made of the same material as the coat.
BAD: There were thousands of girls in the same situation than me.
GOOD: There were thousands of girls in the same situation as me.

Usage Note:
the same ... as (NOT with /like/than ): 'She goes to the same school as my sister.' 'Women have the same abilities as men.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

the same used to say that two people, things, events etc are exactly like each other:
The houses on the street all look the same.
They were doing the same jobs as the men, but being paid less.
just like/exactly like especially spoken used to say that there is very little difference between two people, things etc:
He’s just like his father.
There are insects that look exactly like green leaves.
identical identical things are exactly the same in every way:
The tablets were identical in size, shape, and colour.
identical names
indistinguishable two things that are indistinguishable are so similar that it is impossible to know which is which or to see any differences between them:
The copy was indistinguishable from the original painting.
equal two or more amounts, totals, levels etc that are equal are the same as each other:
Spend an equal amount of time on each essay question.
be no different from somebody/something to be the same, even though you expect them to be different:
People often think that movie stars are special, but really they’re no different from anybody else.
can’t tell the difference (also can’t tell somebody/something apart) especially spoken if you can’t tell the difference between two people or things, or if you can’t tell them apart, they look, sound, or seem exactly the same to you:
Emma and Louise sound so alike on the phone that I can’t tell the difference.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

same
̈ɪseɪm
See: at the same time , all the same , or just the same , in the same breath , lightning never strikes twice in the same place , one and the same

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲