selfsame

adjective

self·​same ˈself-ˌsām How to pronounce selfsame (audio)
: being the one mentioned or in question : identical
left the selfsame day
selfsameness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for selfsame

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 selfsame in a Sentence

that's the selfsame man who once helped me

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of selfsame was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near selfsame

Cite this Entry

“Selfsame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfsame. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

selfsame

adjective
self·​same ˈself-ˌsām How to pronounce selfsame (audio)
: exactly the same : identical

More from Merriam-Webster on selfsame

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