
Synonyms are also a source of euphemisms. Different words that are similar in meaning usually differ for a reason: feline is more formal than cat long and extended are only synonyms in one usage and not in others (for example, a long arm is not the same as an extended arm). Some lexicographers claim that no synonyms have exactly the same meaning (in all contexts or social levels of language) because etymology, orthography, phonic qualities, ambiguous meanings, usage, etc. In English, many synonyms evolved from the parallel use, in the early medieval period, of Norman French (from Latin) and Old English (Anglo-Saxon) words, often with some words being used principally by the Saxon peasantry ( "folk", "freedom", "bowman") and their synonyms by the Norman nobility ( "people", "liberty", "archer"). Similarly, he expired means the same as he died, yet my passport has expired cannot be replaced by my passport has died. Note that synonyms are defined with respect to certain senses of words for instance, pupil as the "aperture in the iris of the eye" is not synonymous with student. Here are more examples of English synonyms:

Synonyms can be any part of speech (such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs or prepositions), as long as both members of the pair are the same part of speech. Hollywood was synonymous with immorality" ( Doris Kearns Goodwin) In the figurative sense, two words are often said to be synonymous if they have the same connotation: "a widespread impression that. Similarly, if we talk about a long time or an extended time, long and extended become synonyms. The words car and automobile are synonyms.

The word comes from Ancient Greek syn ( σύν) ("with") and onoma ( ὄνομα) ("name"). Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar meanings. Synonym list in cuneiform on a clay tablet, Neo-Assyrian period. One of two or more words corresponding in meaning but of different languages a heteronym. An incorrect or incorrectly applied scientific name, as a new name applied to a species or genus already properly named, or a specific name preoccupied by that of another species of the same genus - so used in the system of nomenclature (which see) in which the correct scientific names of certain natural groups (usually genera, species, and subspecies) are regarded as determined by priority.ģ. In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished.


His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy. Īll languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society. One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably.
