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Definition of synonym

synonym

/ˈsɪn.ə.nɪm/
syn · o · nym
Adverb:synonymously
•
Plural:synonyms
•
Adjective:synonymous
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synonym Lexical Profile

synonym Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in the same language.

Example

"In English, the words "happy" and "joyful" function as synonyms."

2

A person or thing so closely associated with a particular quality, concept, or idea that the mention of their name instantly calls it to mind.

Example

"In the 19th century, the name Victoria became a synonym for British imperial power."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

syndicate
syneilesis
syngonium
synonym
synth
synthesizer
synthyris

Word Origin & Etymology

From late Middle English, via Latin 'synonymum' from Greek 'sunōnumon' (neuter of 'sunōnumos', meaning 'having the same name'), derived from 'sun-' (with) and 'onoma' (name).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Synonym. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/synonym
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