identical

1 of 2

adjective

iden·​ti·​cal ī-ˈden-ti-kəl 

ə-

1

: being the same : selfsame

the identical place we stopped before

2

: having such close resemblance as to be essentially the same

identical hats

—often used with to or with

The results were identical to/with those of the first test.

3

a

: having the same cause or origin

identical infections

b

: monozygotic

identically

ī-ˈden-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ə-

adverb

identicalness

ī-ˈden-ti-kəl-nəs 

ə-

noun

identicalness

2 of 2

noun

iden·​ti·​cal·​ness -kəlnə̇s 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being identical

Synonyms of identical

Adjective

• same

Choose the Right Synonym for identical

same, selfsame, very, identical, equivalent, equal mean not different or not differing from one another.

same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

took the same route

derived from the selfsame source

very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

the very point I was trying to make

identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

identical results

equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

two houses equivalent in market value

equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

equal shares in the business

Examples of identical in a Sentence

Adjective

We visited the identical place we stopped at last year.

They were wearing identical coats.

The boxes were identical in shape.

They drove virtually identical cars.

The results were identical to those of the first test.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Peach trees grown from seed won't be identical to the parent plant. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 June 2026

The menu is identical across locations, showcasing dishes found in regions along the 41st parallel. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 2026

The makers did two test runs with a replica of identical size and weight to the tapestry, one in a Mercedes truck from Bayeux to London, in a secret February dry run, another in public in April. —Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 June 2026

The range increase didn’t require something like a decrease in power—in fact, the standard Solterra got a few extra horsepower, taking it to 233 hp (174 kW) from a pair of identical front and rear motors. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably from Medieval Latin identicus, from Late Latin identitas

First Known Use

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing identical

• identical twin
• self-identical

Rhymes for identical

• conventicle
• denticle
• tentacle

Kids Definition

identical

adjective

iden·​ti·​cal ī-ˈdent-i-kəl 

ə-ˈdent-

1

: being one and the same

the identical place we stopped at last year

2

: exactly alike or equal

wearing identical coats

identically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

identicalness

-kəl-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

identical

adjective

iden·​ti·​cal ī-ˈdent-i-kəl, ə- 

: monozygotic

identical twins