Words / B1

y-DENT-ikl/aɪˈdentɪkl/

Identical means exactly the same, not merely similar: identical twins; identical results; identical to last year’s paper. Similar allows small differences; the same is everyday. Identical copies is common in exams and printing. Do not write “identical with” in modern British English — use identical to. If two things are close but not exact, say almost identical or very similar.

Meaning

Exactly the same in every way.

Examples

• “The two witness statements were not identical.”
• “The two contracts were identical except for the start date.”
• “Her answer was identical to the mark scheme, which worried the examiner.”

Good to know

identical to (not with). Stronger than similar. Everyday: the same. almost identical = tiny difference.

Near in meaning

the same

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