same

1 /seIm/ adjective (only before a noun)

1 the same person/place/thing etc

a) one particular person, thing etc and not a different one: He is in the same chair every evening. | I'll never make the same mistake again.

(+ as): It's hard to believe she's the same age as Brian. | this same person/that same thing etc: It is those same people who voted for the Democrats who now complain about their policies.

b) used to say two or more people, things etc are exactly like each other; identical: It was so embarrassing! Both women were wearing the same dress. | It's the same kind of work, just a different department.

(+as): He gets the same pay as me but he gets his own office. | just/exactly the same: If you can ride a pushbike then riding a motorbike is exactly the same thing. It's a question of balance. | much the same (=almost the same): The furniture is made in much the same way as it was over 200 years ago.

2 used to say that a particular person or thing does not change: Her perfume has always had the same effect on me. | He's the same old Peter, moody and irritable.

3 at the same time if two things happen at the same time they both happen together: Kate and I both went to live in Spain at the same time.

4 the very same/the self same used when you are surprised that someone or something is the same person or thing and not a different one: It is hard to believe it was in the very same house that Shakespeare wrote his plays.

5 amount/come to the same thing to have the same result or effect: It doesn't matter whether she was happy to leave or not - it amounts to the same thing. We need a new secretary.

6 the same old story/excuse etc informal something that you have heard many times before: It's the same old story - his wife didn't really love him.

7 same difference spoken especially AmE used to say that different actions, behaviour etc have the same result or effect: “I could mail the letter tomorrow morning or send a fax.” “Same difference, it'll still not get there on time.”

8 by the same token in the same way, or for the same reasons: I realise that he hasn't come up with any new ideas, but by the same token we haven't needed any.

9 be in the same boat to be in the same difficult situation that someone else is in

USAGE NOTE: SAME GRAMMAR Remember that same almost always has the or this/that etc before it: They wear the same clothes every day (NOT They wear same clothes). | People are the same all over the world | That very same day, Trisha phoned him. In informal spoken English you will hear same used with the left out, but this is not considered correct in writing: “I thought the game was really good” “Same here” | “What would you like?” “Same again please.” When you are comparing, you always say that one thing is the same as another: Bob dresses just the same as his father did. | I go to the same college as you (NOT ... to the same college with). 2 pronoun

1 the same

a) used to say that two or more people or things are exactly like each other: The coins may look the same but one's a forgery. | Thanks for your help - I'll do the same for you one day.

b) used to say that a particular person or thing does not change: “How's your wife?” “About the same, thanks.” | Now that Sam's retired, things just won't be the same.

2 (and the) same to you! spoken used as a reply to a greeting or as an angry reply to a rude remark.: “Happy Christmas!” “And the same to you Ben.”

3 just/all the same in spite of a particular situation, opinion etc: I realise she can be very annoying, but I think you should apologise all the same.

4 same here spoken used to say that you feel the same way as someone else: “I'm absolutely exhausted.” “Same here!”

5 (the) same again used to ask for another drink of the same kind

6 more of the same used to mean a person, thing etc like the one just mentioned: He has produced a string of thrillers, and this movie is just more of the same.

—see also: all the same to sb all 2 (10), one and the same one 3 (7) 3 adverb

1 the same (as) in the same way: “Rain” and “reign” are pronounced the same even though they are spelt differently. | Everyone had to dress the same as a well known historical figure.

2 same as sb spoken just like someone else: I have my pride, same as anyone else.