adjective

identical

/aɪˈdɛntɪkəl/ · say it: eye·DEN·tih·kuhl

exactly alike

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) exactly the same in every way

2. (adjective) (of twins) developed from a single fertilized egg and therefore very similar in appearance

Examples

1. The two paintings are identical; I cannot tell them apart.
2. Identical twins often look so much alike that people confuse them.

How to use identical

Identical is used to emphasize that two or more things are exactly the same or share all the same qualities. It is more emphatic and formal than 'same' and is commonly used in scientific, medical, and comparative contexts. When comparing things, 'identical to' or 'identical with' both work, though 'to' is more common in modern usage.

Common phrases

identical twins
identical to
virtually identical
nearly identical
identical in appearance

Synonyms

same · indistinguishable · alike · matching · uniform

Opposites

different · distinct · dissimilar

Word family

identically (adverb) · identity (noun) · identify (verb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'identical' for things that are merely very similar but not exactly the same; 'identical' should only be used when there is complete sameness, not just close resemblance.

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