Definition

Referring to the exact same person or thing that has been mentioned or is being discussed.

Example

The selfsame book that I read last year is still on my shelf.

Conversation

Isn't it strange how we both ended up liking the same book?

Yeah, it’s funny! I didn’t expect us to have the selfsame taste in stories.

Right? I thought I was the only one who enjoyed that genre.

Clearly, great minds think alike when it comes to reading!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Selfsame → It is formed from "self" (from Old English "self", meaning oneself) and "same" (from Old English "same", meaning identical or the same). The word "selfsame" means exactly the same as oneself or identical to oneself.

Memory Tip

Think of 'self' meaning oneself and 'same' meaning identical — together they remind you that 'selfsame' refers to something that is exactly the same as oneself.

Visually Confused Words