same
same Lexical Profile
same Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Identical; not different; referring to the very person, thing, or event previously mentioned or under consideration.
"We took the same train to work every morning for five years."
Of an identical type, kind, degree, or quality; exactly alike in relevant respects.
"Both apartments have the same floor plan and square footage."
Unchanged or unaltered over time; not varying in character, condition, or appearance.
"The historic town square looks much the same as it did a century ago."
• pronoun
The identical person, thing, action, or state previously mentioned (typically preceded by 'the').
"She ordered the grilled salmon, and her colleague asked for the same."
The aforementioned person or thing (often used without 'the' in formal, legal, or commercial contexts).
"We have repaired the defective unit and are returning same to your office today."
• adverb
In the same manner, way, or degree (usually preceded by 'the').
"We treat all applicants the same regardless of their background."
Word Nuance & Usage
Usually preceded by the definite article 'the' or a demonstrative determiner ('this', 'that', 'these', 'those'). Using 'same' without a determiner to refer back to a previously mentioned item (e.g., 'Please review the contract and return same') is restricted to formal legal or commercial correspondence.
• Rhymes for same
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English same, borrowed from Old Norse samr ('same'), from Proto-Germanic *samaz, from Proto-Indo-European *somHós ('same, one'), which is also the root of Latin similis ('similar') and Greek homos ('same').