1. a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language, for example shut is a synonym of close: "“shut” is a synonym of “close”"
▪ a person or thing so closely associated with a particular quality or idea that the mention of their name calls it to mind: "the Victorian age is a synonym for sexual puritanism"
▪ a taxonomic name which has the same application as another, especially one which has been superseded and is no longer valid.
Word Originlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek sunōnumon, neuter (used as a noun) of the adjective sunōnumos, from sun- ‘with’ + onoma ‘name’.
