same
/seim/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Exactly the one or ones referred to or mentioned; identical: Refers to being the exact person, place, thing, or idea, not a different one.
- Being the very one; not another: Emphasizes that it is precisely this specific item and no other.
- Similar in kind, quality, quantity, or degree; alike: Indicates things that are very similar or comparable, often indistinguishable in the context.
- Unchanging in character, condition, or effect: Describes something that remains constant over time.
Noun:
- The same thing or person: Used to refer back to a thing or person already mentioned.
- [Capitalized, specific use]: Refers to the Sami people, an indigenous group in northern Scandinavia, or their language. (Note: This is a distinct, homographic proper noun and not the primary meaning of the adjective 'same').
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- We grew up in the same town. (Identical place)
- She was wearing the same dress she had on yesterday. (The very one, not another)
- The twins have the same eye color. (Alike, similar)
- After all these years, his routine is still the same. (Unchanging)
Noun:
- "I'd like a coffee, please." "I'll have the same." (Referring to the identical thing)
- The letter was from Mr. Smith, and I replied to the same. (Referring to the identical person)
Advanced Usage
"One and the same": Used for emphasis to state that two apparently different things are actually identical.
- I realized the author and the illustrator were one and the same person.
"Much the same": Very similar, with little or no difference.
- The new model looks much the same as the old one.
"The very same": Used for extra emphasis on exact identity.
- This is the very same book I recommended to you.
Variants and Related Words
- Sameness (n): The quality or state of being the same; lack of variety.
- The sameness of the landscape made the drive boring.
Synonyms
- Identical: Exactly alike, often interchangeable with 'same'.
- Alike: Similar to each other.
- Equivalent: Equal in value, function, or meaning.
- Unchanged: Not altered or modified.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
(Note: 'Same' is primarily an adjective/noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Phrases are idiomatic.)
Related Idioms
"All the same" or "Just the same": Nevertheless; in spite of that.
- I understand your point. All the same, I think we should proceed.
"Same difference": (Informal) Used to indicate that two things, even if technically different, are effectively the same in the context.
- "It's a quarter to three." "Or 2:45." "Same difference."
"Same old, same old": (Informal) Used to say that a situation remains boringly unchanged or familiar.
- "How's work?" "Oh, you know, the same old, same old."
"On the same page": In agreement; thinking in a similar way.
- Before we start, we need to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Adjective
- unchanged in character or nature
- the village stayed the same
- his attitude is the same as ever
- equal in amount or value
- like amounts
- equivalent amounts
- the same amount
- gave one six blows and the other a like number
- the same number
- closely similar or comparable in kind or quality or quantity or degree
- curtains the same color as the walls
- two girls of the same age
- mother and son have the same blue eyes
- animals of the same species
- the same rules as before
- two boxes having the same dimensions
- the same day next year
- same in identity
- the same man I saw yesterday
- never wore the same dress twice
- this road is the same one we were on yesterday
- on the same side of the street
Noun
- the language of nomadic Lapps in northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula
- a member of an indigenous nomadic people living in northern Scandinavia and herding reindeer