identity

noun

iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden-tə-tē 

ə-,

-ˈde-nə-

plural identities

1

a

: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual : individuality

b

: the relation established by psychological identification

2

: the condition of being the same with something described or asserted

establish the identity of stolen goods

3

a

: sameness of essential or generic character in different instances

b

: sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : oneness

4

: an equation that is satisfied for all values of the symbols

5

: identity element

Synonyms

• identicalness
• sameness

Examples of identity in a Sentence

The identity of the criminal is not known.

They produced their passports as proof of their identities.

They arrested the wrong man. It was a case of mistaken identity.

As children grow, they establish their own identities.

people who seem to lack individual identity

His art reflects his cultural identity.

Recent Examples on the Web

While details about the incident are currently limited — such as cause or manner of death or the identities of the officers allegedly involved in the encounter — Platkin said Silva was pronounced dead at a hospital on Dec. 12. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024

Verify the caller's identity Following a basic routine that includes using a safe word is a good first line of defense against scammers. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2024

Police, however, know the suspect's identity and have executed a search warrant on the person's residence; Barnes said the family is cooperating in the investigation. —Kc Baker, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

As the identity of everyone is obvious and the timeline of events is precise, this does not dilute the film’s impact. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French identité, from Late Latin identitat-, identitas, probably from Latin identidem repeatedly, contraction of idem et idem, literally, same and same

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing identity

• a case of mistaken identity
• additive identity
• case of mistaken identity
• dissociative identity disorder
• gender identity
• gender identity disorder
• identity card
• identity crisis
• identity element
• identity matrix
• identity parade
• identity politics
• identity theft
• multiplicative identity
• self-identity

Kids Definition

identity

noun

iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē 

ə-ˈden(t)-

plural identities

1

: the condition of being exactly alike : sameness

2

: individuality sense 1

3

: the fact of being the same person or thing as claimed

prove one's identity

4

: identity element

Medical Definition

identity

noun

iden·​ti·​ty ī-ˈden(t)-ət-ē, ə-ˈ 

plural identities

1

: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual

2

: the relation established by psychological identification

Legal Definition

identity

noun

iden·​ti·​ty

plural identities

1

: sameness of essential character or aspect

collateral estoppel requires identity of the issues and the parties

2

a

: separate or distinct existence

when movables lose their identity or become an integral part of the immovable

—Louisiana Civil Code

b

: distinguishing character of a person

especially : information (as a name or address) that distinguishes a person

is required to reveal the identity of an informer

but for a mistake concerning the proper party's identity

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 15(c)

3

: the condition of being the same as a thing or person described, claimed, or accused

character evidence of a suspect's past crimes may be admitted to prove the identity of a crime's perpetrator