different between identical vs interchangeable

English

Etymology

From identic +? -al.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??d?nt?kl?/, /a??d?nt?kl?/
• Hyphenation: i?den?ti?cal

Adjective

identical (comparative more identical, superlative most identical)

1. (not comparable) Bearing full likeness by having precisely the same set of characteristics; indistinguishable.
2. (not comparable) Not different or other; not another or others; not different as regards self; selfsame; numerically identical.
3. (not comparable, biology) Of twins, sharing the same genetic code.
4. (not comparable, mathematics) Exactly equivalent.
5. (comparable, rare) Approximating or approaching exact equivalence.
   • 1788, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, The Federalist, XLI:

     The terms of Article 8th are still more identical.

• For more quotations using this term, see Citations:identical.

Usage notes

• In mathematics, this adjective can be used in phrases like "A and B are identical", "A is identical to B", and, less commonly, "A is identical with B".
• Adverbs often used with "identical": absolutely, almost, nearly, practically, virtually, substantially.

Synonyms

• (bearing full likeness): same
• (selfsame): same, selfsame

Antonyms

• contrasting
• different
• distinct
• non-identical

Coordinate terms

• (of twins): dizygotic

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

identical (plural identicals)

1. (usually pluralized, chiefly philosophy) Something which has exactly the same properties as something else.
2. An identical twin.

Derived terms

• indiscernibility of identicals

References

• identical in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• identical in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• identical at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• ctenidial, diclinate, dinetical

English

Etymology

interchange +? -able

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?nt??t?e?nd??bl?/, [?????t?e?nd??bl?]

Adjective

interchangeable (not comparable)

1. Freely substitutable; that may be swapped at will.

   Eli Whitney's development of interchangeable parts was a breakthrough for modern manufacturing. Prior to that, each part had to be made custom.

   • 2014, Ian Jack, "Is this the end of Britishness", The Guardian, 16 September 2014:

     The English, until relatively recently, seem to have imagined “English” and “British” to be interchangeable, as if Britain was just a bigger England.

   Synonym: equivalent

2. Following each other in alternate succession; alternating.

Derived terms

• interchangeability
• interchangeably

Translations

Noun

interchangeable (plural interchangeables)

1. Anything that can be interchanged; a substitute.

French

Etymology

From interchanger +? -able

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.t??.???.?abl/

Adjective

interchangeable (plural interchangeables)

1. interchangeable, substitutable

Further reading

• “interchangeable” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).