same / sām/ • adj. (the same) 1. identical; not different; unchanged: he's worked at the same place for quite a few years. ∎  (this/that same) referring to a person or thing just mentioned: that same year I went to Boston. 2. of an identical type: they all wore the same clothes.• pron. 1. (the same) the same thing as something previously mentioned: I'll resign and encourage everyone else to do the same. ∎  people or things that are identical or share the same characteristics: there are several brands and they're not all the same. 2. (chiefly in formal or legal use) the person or thing just mentioned: sighted sub, sank same.• adv. similarly; in the same way: treating women the same as men.PHRASES: all (or just) the same in spite of this; nevertheless: she knew they had meant it kindly, but it had hurt all the same. ∎  in any case; anyway: I can manage alone, thanks all the same.at the same time1. simultaneously. 2. on the other hand; nevertheless; yet: it's a very creative place, but at the same time it's very relaxing.be all the same to be unimportant to (someone) what happens: it was all the same to me where it was being sold.one and the same the same person or thing (used for emphasis): the guy in the glasses and Superman were one and the same.same difference inf. used to express the speaker's belief that two or more things are essentially the same, in spite of apparent differences.same here inf. the same applies to me. (the) same to you! may you do or have the same thing (a response to a greeting or insult).DERIVATIVES: same·ness n.