What does "identity" mean?

1. (who someone is) the qualities, beliefs, and personality that make a person or group different from others. 2. (official information) your name and other facts about you, often shown on a document like a passport. 3. (sameness) the state of being exactly the same as something else. 4. (mathematical rule) an equation that is always true, no matter what numbers you use. 5. (a famous person) a person who is very well-known in a specific area or town.

identity — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01who someone is

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. the qualities, beliefs, and personality that make a person or group different from others.

n. the distinct personality or set of characteristics by which an individual or collective is recognised.

“Living in a different country for ten years changed his sense of identity.”

“The architect argued that the new development would destroy the historical identity of the neighbourhood by replacing local shops with global chains.”

Synonyms

character personality self

02official information

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. your name and other facts about you, often shown on a document like a passport.

n. the fact of being a specific person or thing; often relates to the verification of personal data.

“The police asked the man to prove his identity by showing a driver's license.”

“The bank implemented two-factor authentication to protect customers against identity theft and unauthorised access to their accounts.”

Synonyms

identification details

Antonyms

anonymity

03sameness

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic · Formal

n. the state of being exactly the same as something else.

n. the quality or condition of being identical; absolute sameness.

“The identity of the two DNA samples proved they came from the same person.”

“The philosopher explored the identity of the self over time, questioning whether a person remains the same despite physical and mental changes.”

Synonyms

identicalnessuniformity

Antonyms

differencedistinctness

04mathematical rule

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Mathematics Technical

n. an equation that is always true, no matter what numbers you use.

n. an equality that remains true regardless of the values assigned to its variables.

“In your math homework, you need to use a trigonometric identity to solve the problem.”

“The professor demonstrated how the additive identity, zero, functions within various algebraic structures to maintain the value of other elements.”

Synonyms

equation formula

05a famous person

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Dialect

n. a person who is very well-known in a specific area or town.

n. a well-known or prominent individual within a particular community.

“He was a local identity who everyone recognised at the Saturday market.”

“The funeral was attended by several sporting identities and local politicians who wished to pay their respects to the legendary coach.”

Usage

Primarily used in Australian and New Zealand English.

Synonyms

celebrity personality figure

Antonyms

nobody

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “identity” in context.

Verb

01. establish identity

“The police are working to establish the identity of the person found in the park.”

verb + noun

“For a quarter of a century, the street artist has built a brand around anonymity. Considered one of the world’s best known and most popular living artists, his identity has been debated — and closely guarded — for decades. Until now.”

Reuters 13 Mar 2026

“According to the World Bank, over 1 billion individuals worldwide lack a means to establish their identity, a situation that experts argue bars them from fundamental services like education and healthcare.”

Reuters 14 Sept 2018

“Caitlyn Jenner is a trans woman, ‘asexual for now’; Rachel Dolezal identifies as black. Who owns your identity, and how can old ways of thinking be replaced?”

The Guardian 31 Aug 2018