What does synonymy mean?
Synonymy is the relationship between words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning. It is an important concept in lexicography, linguistics, translation, and effective writing because it distinguishes different words as carriers of an existing meaning. Complete synonyms may be interchangeable in many contexts, while near synonyms can differ in register, connotation, grammar, or the situations in which they sound natural. For example, begin and commence have substantial synonymy, but commence is often more formal and may suggest a more deliberate start. Synonymy does not mean that two words are identical in every use: context can determine which is preferable. The term is also useful when discussing the repetition of meanings within a text. When several phrases express essentially the same idea, the result can be stylistically weak, whereas deliberate variation can improve clarity and rhythm, provided that the chosen alternatives are accurate and appropriate.
nounThe relation between words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning. It also refers to the condition of being synonymous.
- The relation between two or more words or expressions that have the same or nearly the same meaning.
- The use of different words or expressions to convey equivalent meanings.
"Careful editing removed the unnecessary synonymy between the two paragraphs."
"The translator noted the subtle synonymy between the French and English terms."
"A thesaurus can be useful, although it does not fully capture differences of register and connotation between synonymous words."
The plural is used when referring to multiple relationships of sameness or correspondence between meanings.
"The study compares the synonymies of several closely related languages."
Synonymy describes what happens when two expressions enter the same meaning neighborhood.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does synonymy come from?
Synonymy comes through Latin from Greek syn-, meaning “together” or “with,” and onoma, meaning “name.” The form combines elements associated with naming together or using one name for another. Its relatives include synonym and synonymous, while synonymize refers to the act of expressing something in an equivalent way.
Related word forms
How synonymy is actually used
Synonymy is most common in lexicography, linguistics, translation, and style analysis. Near synonymy is sometimes used for words whose meanings overlap without being completely interchangeable.
Easily confused with synonymy
A synonym is an individual word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, whereas synonymy is the relationship between such words.
Similarity can include differences in meaning, connotation, grammar, or usage, while synonymy specifically concerns words with substantially corresponding meanings.