Meaning & use
synonym
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Meaning
nouncountable
A word or phrase that means the same as, or almost the same as, another word or phrase.
Grammar: Countable: a synonym, two synonyms. Often followed by of or for: 'big' is a synonym of 'large'.
Patterns
- a synonym of something
- a synonym for something
- synonyms for something
'Big' and 'large' are synonyms.
Can you think of a synonym for 'happy'?
The dictionary lists several synonyms for 'angry'.
Word forms
| plural | synonyms |
|---|
Common combinations
- a synonym for
- 'Quick' is a common synonym for 'fast'.
- a synonym of
- 'Begin' is a synonym of 'start'.
- perfect synonym
- True perfect synonyms are rare because words usually differ in tone.
Synonyms and how they differ
- equivalent
- Broader and can refer to things, not just words; synonym is used only for words or phrases.
Opposites
Word family
- synonymous adjective
- Meaning the same or nearly the same, as in 'wealthy' is synonymous with 'rich'.
- synonymy noun
- The state of being synonymous; the relationship between synonyms.
Commonly confused: synonym or antonym? synonym or acronym?
synonym vs antonym
An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning, while a synonym has a similar meaning.
synonym vs acronym
An acronym is a word formed from initials, like NASA; a synonym is a word with the same meaning as another.
Practice
Which word is a synonym for 'begin'?
Choose one answer.
Start has the same meaning as begin, so it is a synonym. End, stop, and finish are opposites (antonyms), not synonyms.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “synonym”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.