just the same

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

same /seɪm/   adj. [before a noun* the/this/that/these/those + ~]

1. identical with what is about to be or has just been mentioned:
   This street is the same one we were on yesterday.
2. being one or identical though having different names, etc.:
   the same play with a different title.
3. agreeing in kind, amount, etc.:
   two boxes of the same dimensions.
4. unchanged in character, etc.:
   It's the same town after all these years.

pron. [the + ~]

5. the same person, thing, or kind of thing:
   She wants a computer, and I want the same.

Idioms

6. Idioms all the same:
   • anyway;
     notwithstanding;
     nevertheless:
     I know you're tired, but all the same, I wish you'd stay.
   • of no difference;
     immaterial:
     It's all the same to me whether you go or not.
7. Idioms just the same:
   • in the same way.
   • nevertheless;
     all the same.
8. same to you. (used as an answer to a greeting or as a wish for someone):
   "Happy holidays!'' —"Same to you.''
9. the same, in the same manner;
   in an identical or similar way:
   I see the same through your eyeglasses as through mine.

same•ness, n. 

[uncountable] obvious sameness between the two books.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

same  (sām), adj. 

1. identical with what is about to be or has just been mentioned:
   This street is the same one we were on yesterday.
2. being one or identical though having different names, aspects, etc.:
   These are the same rules though differently worded.
3. agreeing in kind, amount, etc.;
   corresponding:
   two boxes of the same dimensions.
4. unchanged in character, condition, etc.:
   It's the same town after all these years.

pron. 

5. the same person or thing.
6. the same kind or category of thing:
   You're having steak? I'll have the same, but very rare.
7. the very person, thing, or set just mentioned:
   Sighted sub sank same.
8. Idioms all the same:
   • notwithstanding;
     nevertheless:
     You don't have to go but we wish you would, all the same.
   • of no difference;
     immaterial:
     It's all the same to me whether our team loses or wins.
9. Idioms just the same:
   • in the same manner.
   • nevertheless:
     It was a success, but it could easily have failed, just the same.
10. the same, in the same manner;
    in an identical or similar way:
    I see the same through your glasses as I do through mine.

• 1150–1200; Middle English; Old English same (adverb, adverbial); cognate with Old Norse samr, Greek homós, Sanskrit samá

Synonyms

• 1. –3. corresponding, interchangeable, equal.
  Same, similar agree in indicating a correspondence between two or more things.
  Same means alike in kind, degree, quality; that is, identical (with):
  to eat the same food every day; at the same price.
  Similar means like, resembling, having certain qualities in common, somewhat the same as, of nearly the same kind as:
  similar in appearance; Don't treat them as if they were the same when they are only similar.

Antonyms

• 1. different.
• 3. unlike.