identity

i-den-ti-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The fact of being who or what a person or thing is; the characteristics determining this.

  2. 2.

    A close similarity or affinity.

  3. 3.

    (Mathematics) An equation that is true for all values of its variables.

Forms

plural: identities

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    identity crisis — a period of uncertainty about one's sense of self
  • •
    identity theft — the fraudulent use of someone's personal information
  • •
    mistaken identity — incorrectly identifying someone as another person

Related words

See also: identical, identification, identify
Synonyms: character, individuality, persona, self

Etymology

From Late Latin identitas ("sameness"), from Latin idem ("the same"), itself from is ("he, that") + -dem (emphatic suffix).