same

1 of 3

adjective

1
a
: resembling in every relevant respect
b
: conforming in every respect
used with as
2
a
: being one without addition, change, or discontinuance : identical
b
: being the one under discussion or already referred to
3
: corresponding so closely as to be indistinguishable
4
: equal in size, shape, value, or importance
usually used with the or a demonstrative (such as that, those) in all senses

same

2 of 3

pronoun

1
: something identical with or similar to another
2
: something or someone previously mentioned or described
often used with the or a demonstrative (such as that, those) in both senses

same

3 of 3

adverb

: in the same manner
used with the or a demonstrative (such as that, those)
Phrases
all the same or just the same
: despite everything : nevertheless
Choose the Right Synonym for same

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 same in a Sentence

Adjective The words “their” and “there” are pronounced in exactly the same way but spelled differently. She gave the same answer as before. He eats the same breakfast every day. The same thing happened to me yesterday. Pronoun “I'll have a coffee with cream and two sugars.” “Make mine the same.” Your idea is the same as his. All of your classmates have begun their projects, and I suggest you do the same. The band's last album was a bunch of bubble-gum pop, and their new release is just more of the same. After the accident, he was never quite the same again. Things would never be the same without you! Things are very much the same as before.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Startup founders can apply this same lesson by planning their business operations in detail but leaving space for flexibility. Abdo Riani, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Given that the number of billion-dollar-plus disasters are on the rise, the U.S. is going to confront these same problems over and over again. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024 In clean air, bird lungs have evolved to be incredibly efficient, but in smoky conditions, that same adaptation works against them. Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024 And yet, those same investors say former President Donald Trump would actually be better for the economy—narrowly. Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for same 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'same.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old Norse samr; akin to Old High German sama same, Latin simulis like, simul together, at the same time, similis like, sem- one, Greek homos same, hama together, hen-, heis one

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Pronoun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of same was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near same

Cite this Entry

“Same.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/same. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

same

1 of 2 adjective
1
: resembling in every respect
the same answer as before
2
: not another
the same school
3
: very much alike
on the same day last year

same

2 of 2 pronoun
: the same one or ones

Medical Definition

SAMe

noun
: S-adenosylmethionine especially when used as a dietary supplement (as to relieve depression or arthritic pain and inflammation)

More from Merriam-Webster on same

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