First Known Use: 1570
Dictionary
identity
noun iden·ti·ty \ī-ˈden-tə-tē, ə-, -ˈde-nə-\
: who someone is : the name of a person
: the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group different from others
plural iden·ti·ties
Full Definition of IDENTITY
1
a : sameness of essential or generic character in different instances b : sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : oneness
2
a : the distinguishing character or personality of an individual : individuality b : the relation established by psychological identification
3
: the condition of being the same with something described or asserted <establish the identity of stolen goods>
4
: an equation that is satisfied for all values of the symbols
5
See identity defined for English-language learners
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Origin of IDENTITY
Middle French identité, from Late Latin identitat-, identitas, probably from Latin identidem repeatedly, contraction of idem et idem, literally, same and same
Related to IDENTITY
- Synonyms
- identicalness, sameness
- Antonyms
- difference, disagreement, discrepancy, disparateness, disparity, dissimilarity, unlikeness
Other Psychology Terms
IDENTITY Defined for Kids
identity
noun iden·ti·ty \ī-ˈden-tə-tē\
plural iden·ti·ties
Definition of IDENTITY for Kids
1
: the set of qualities and beliefs that make one person or group different from others : individuality <Children establish their own identities.>
2
: the fact of being the same person or thing as claimed <Can you prove your identity?>
3
: the fact or condition of being exactly alike : sameness <He proved the identity of the two books' authorship.>
Medical Dictionary
identity
noun iden·ti·ty \ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē, ə-ˈ\
plural iden·ti·ties
Medical Definition of IDENTITY
1
: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual
2
: the relation established by psychological identification
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