synonym
UK: ˈsɪnənɪm | US: ˈsɪnənɪm
n. a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language
synonym = syn<same/together> + onym<name/word>
- syn<same/together>: From Greek syn-, meaning "same" or "together."
- onym<name/word>: From Greek onoma, meaning "name" or "word."
Etymology Origin:
The word "synonym" originates from Greek synonymon, combining syn- (same/together) and onoma (name/word). It reflects the idea of words sharing the same meaning. Over time, it evolved into Latin synonymum and later Middle English synonyme, retaining its core concept of semantic equivalence.
"Happy" is a synonym for "joyful."
Thesaurus entries list synonyms to help writers avoid repetition.
"Big" and "large" are often used as synonyms in casual speech.
Linguists study how synonyms can vary in connotation.
Some languages have fewer synonyms than English, making translation nuanced.