WordGarden.ioidentically
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /aɪdˈɛntɪkli/
US
Meanings
Adverb
in exactly the same way
in a way that holds as an identity or for all relevant values
Beyond the definition
If two things are done identically, they are done in exactly the same way, with no real difference between them. You might say two workers followed the same steps identically, two rooms were decorated identically, or two copies of a document were printed identically. The word is often used when someone wants to stress sameness in action, form, or result. It suggests that the match is very close, often complete, rather than just generally similar.
The word "identically" means "in exactly the same way" or "with no difference." It is used when two or more things match fully in appearance, structure, wording, method, or result. It is stronger than saying things are merely similar, because it points to sameness rather than resemblance.
You will often see it used with actions and processes. Two machines may operate identically. Two students may answer a question identically. Two apartments in the same building may be furnished identically. In science, researchers try to treat groups identically except for the one thing being tested. In writing or speech, two statements can be worded identically, meaning the words match exactly.
The word can describe outward appearance, but it is not limited to that. It can also describe repeated behavior, matching instructions, copied text, equal measurements, or the same treatment in an experiment. For example, if two cakes are decorated identically, they look the same. If two forms are filled out identically, the same information appears in the same way. If two teams are trained identically, they receive the same guidance and practice.
In everyday use, people sometimes use "identically" a little loosely to mean "so closely that no difference matters." But at its core, the word points to full sameness. When you want to show that something was done, made, arranged, or expressed in exactly the same way, "identically" is the right word.
Examples
- 1
Matching clothing
The two brothers were dressed identically for the family photo.
- 2
Equipment
Both printers work identically, so either one is fine.
- 3
Workplace pay
Employees in the same role should be paid identically.
- 4
Product labels
The warning labels on both bottles were written almost identically.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Spelling vs pronunciation
These two words are spelled identically but pronounced differently.
- Patternspelled identically but pronounced differently
written the same way but said differently
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- identically distributed
- treated identically
- behave identically
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- identicallyadverb