Quick Definition adjective / pronoun
Same means identical or very similar; not different from what was mentioned before. As an adjective it modifies a noun (the same book); as a pronoun it stands in place of a noun already named (I'll have the same). It is almost always preceded by the.
Etymology & Background
Same derives from Old Norse samr and Proto-Germanic *samaz, both meaning "identical" or "together". The word entered Old English largely unchanged and has remained stable for over a thousand years. Distantly related Latin forms — similis ("like") and semel ("once") — give modern English similar, simulate, and simultaneously, all sharing the underlying idea of matching or coinciding.
Example Sentences
| Level | Sentence | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| A2 | We went to the same university at the same time. | adjective — two instances in one sentence |
| B1 | Could I have the same as her, please? | pronoun use — replaces the noun already mentioned |
| B1 | The situation is much the same as it was last year. | much the same — hedged comparison |
| B2 | They were making the same old excuses they always made. | the same old — fixed phrase expressing tedium |
| C1 | The managing director and the sole shareholder turned out to be one and the same person. | one and the same — emphatic formal identity |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| the same as | Your answer is the same as mine. |
| at the same time | We both started laughing at the same time. |
| in the same way | Not everyone learns in the same way. |
| feel the same | I used to love this song, but I don't feel the same any more. |
| look the same | The twins look exactly the same. |
| the same old | It's always the same old problems. |
| one and the same | Happiness and success are not one and the same thing. |
| same again | "Another coffee?" — "Same again, please." |
| much the same | The weather here is much the same as back home. |
| all the same | It makes no difference — it's all the same to me. |
Usage Notes
Key Points for Learners
- Always use the. Unlike many adjectives, same almost always requires the definite article: the same problem, the same time. Dropping the sounds ungrammatical in most contexts.
- Use as, not like, in comparisons. The correct structure is the same as: "Her coat is the same as mine." Using like here — "the same like mine" — is a very common learner error.
- Pronoun use is natural in speech. When a noun has already been established, same can replace it entirely: "I'll have the same" or "Same here." This is especially common in informal conversation and in pub or restaurant English.
- Distinguish same from similar. Same implies 100 % identity; similar implies a close but imperfect match. Do not use same when you mean "roughly alike".
- Fixed phrases to learn as chunks. At the same time, in the same way, one and the same, all the same, and same here function as idioms and should be learnt as complete units rather than assembled word by word.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
Her accent is the same like yours.
Her accent is the same as yours. (use as, not like)
We both arrived same day.
We both arrived on the same day. (the definite article the is required)
They are same height.
They are the same height. (article cannot be omitted before same)
Related Words
Opposites
Related Vocabulary
Practise This Word
Frequently Asked Questions about “same”
What does same mean in English?
Same means identical or not different from what has already been mentioned. It is used as an adjective ('the same colour') or as a pronoun ('I'll have the same'). It nearly always follows the definite article 'the': 'the same problem', 'at the same time'.
Do you say 'same' or 'the same'?
In standard British English you almost always say 'the same', not 'same' on its own. Saying 'We arrived same day' without 'the' is informal or non-standard. The definite article is required in most grammatical contexts: 'We arrived on the same day.'
What is the difference between same and similar?
Same means completely identical: 'They wore the same dress.' Similar means nearly alike but not identical: 'They wore similar dresses.' Confusing the two is a common ESL error — use same for an exact match, similar for a close but imperfect match.
Can 'same' be used as a pronoun?
Yes. As a pronoun, same replaces a noun already mentioned: 'He ordered a cappuccino and I ordered the same.' This pronoun use is especially common in informal speech and in formal legal or commercial writing ('Please sign and return the same').
What are common collocations with same?
Common collocations include: the same time, the same way, feel the same, look the same, the same old (thing), one and the same, at the same time, same again, the same as, and much the same. These fixed phrases are essential for natural-sounding English.
What is the difference between 'the same as' and 'the same like'?
In standard English, the correct preposition is 'as', not 'like': 'Her results were the same as mine.' Using 'like' here ('the same like mine') is a common mistake among learners whose first languages use an equivalent of 'like' in this structure.
What does 'one and the same' mean?
'One and the same' is an emphatic phrase meaning that two things people might think are different are actually identical: 'The author and the editor turned out to be one and the same person.' It is used for emphasis or to resolve a potential misunderstanding.
What does 'same here' mean?
'Same here' is an informal expression meaning 'I feel or think the same as you' or 'the same thing applies to me'. For example: 'I'm exhausted.' — 'Same here.' It is equivalent to 'Me too' or 'So do I' and is very common in spoken British English.
What is the origin of the word same?
Same comes from Old Norse 'samr' and Proto-Germanic '*samaz', both meaning 'identical'. It entered Old English as 'same' and has changed very little over the centuries. Related words in modern European languages include Latin 'similis', which gives English 'similar' and 'simulate'.
How can I practise using same in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise same in context, or use the Flash Cards tool to study same alongside related words such as similar, identical, different, and equal. Noticing the collocations 'the same as', 'at the same time', and 'in the same way' in your reading will help you use the word naturally.