identical
gb/aɪdˈɛntɪkəl/ us/aɪdˈɛntɪkəl/
B1
English
~ 6600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Exactly the same in every detail
Exactly the same as something else, with no difference you can see or measure.
Usage pattern:
[something] is identical to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *very identical*, but *identical* already means completely the same, so *very* is usually unnecessary. Use *almost identical* or *nearly identical* if there is a very small difference. Learners may also confuse *identical* with *similar*: *identical* means there is no real difference, while *similar* means they are alike but not the same.
Synonyms
exactly the same (More of a phrase than a single word; very clear in everyday speech.)
|
indistinguishable (More formal and technical; often used when two things cannot be told apart even with careful checking.)
Antonyms
different (General opposite, used when two things are not the same.)
|
distinct (Suggests clearly separate and noticeably not the same.)
Collocations
identical twins
|identical to
|almost identical
|virtually identical
|identical copies
|identical results
Themes
description
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two reports are almost identical, word for word.
- These two dresses look identical, but one is much more expensive.
- The test was repeated three times and the results were identical.
- The company makes identical products in its factories in China and Mexico.
Learner examples
- My phone is identical to my brother’s phone.
- The two photos are identical, so I cannot see a difference.
- We got identical scores on the exam.
- The keys are identical, so either one will open the door.
adjective
B2
property
2
The very same individual one
The exact same person or thing as before, not just one that is similar.
Usage pattern:
the identical [noun] (that/which) [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners often do not use this sense and instead say *the same* plus a noun. This is usually fine, but in written stories or formal descriptions, *the identical [noun]* can sound more precise or dramatic.
Synonyms
the very same (Common spoken phrase; slightly more emotional or emphatic in tone.)
Antonyms
another (Shows that it is not the same individual as before, but a different one.)
|
different (General opposite; makes clear it is not the same person or thing as previously mentioned.)
Collocations
the identical person
|the identical house
|the identical car
|the identical place
Themes
description
|narrative
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- That is the identical man I saw at the station yesterday.
- We went back to the identical restaurant where we had our first date.
- She wore the identical dress she had on at the wedding last year.
Learner examples
- This is the identical bag I lost last week.
- We stayed in the identical hotel as last time.
- He parked in the identical place as yesterday.
Grammar
Dictionary form
identical
IPA
GB/aɪdˈɛntɪkəl/
US/aɪdˈɛntɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
identic - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (al)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: identical
Word family
Core family
Related words
identifiable
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
identifier
noun
Expressions
identical in every way
1/aɪdˈɛntɪkəl ˈɪn ˈɛvɹi wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
Exactly the same in all respects
Used to say that two things are completely the same in all parts or aspects.
Examples
- The two proposals are identical in every way.
- To the customer, the fake and the real bag seem identical in every way.
identical to
1/aɪdˈɛntɪkəl tə/
fixed phrase
Exactly the same as
Used to say that one thing is exactly the same as another thing, with no real difference.
Examples
- Her new phone is identical to mine.
- The contract you signed is identical to the one I received.
identical twins
1/aɪdˈɛntɪkəl twˈɪnz/
fixed phrase
Twins from one fertilized egg
Two brothers or sisters who come from one egg and one sperm, so they have the same genes and usually look exactly the same.
Examples
- People often confuse identical twins for each other.
- People often confuse the identical twins because they look so alike.
- Identical twins usually have the same eye color.
- The doctor explained that identical twins share the same DNA.