Definition of: identical

(ī·den′ti·kəl) adjective
1. Absolutely the same; the very same.
2. Uniform with something else in quality, condition, execution, appearance, etc. [<Med. L identicus <idem the same]
—i·den′ti·cal·ly adverb
—i·den′ti·cal·ness noun Synonyms: alike, equivalent, interchangeable, same, selfsame. Strictly, no two persons or things can be identical or the same. In looser usage, two volumes may be said to be identical or the same in contents; a carbon copy is identical in substance with the original, but it is not the same document. Two synonyms, as “begin” and “commence,” may be in most cases equivalent and interchangeable, but one is not the same as the other, and at some point they will be found to draw apart, either in meaning or use. A check may be equivalent to the money specified, but it is not the same as cash. When a person or thing is surely recognized as the very one referred to, and no other, we say, “This is the identical man, the identical document,” or “the same man, document.” See SYNONYMOUS. Antonyms: contrary, different, dissimilar, distinct, unlike.