identity
Identity refers to the distinguishing character or personality of an individual, encompassing the qualities, beliefs, and expressions that make a person or group unique. In a broader sense, it describes the state of remaining the same under different conditions or the condition of being exactly like something else.
Examples
3 of 5The artist's work explores the complex relationship between cultural heritage and personal identity.
The artist's work explores the complex relationship between cultural heritage and personal identity.
Verification of the applicant's identity is a mandatory requirement for the processing of a visa application.
Verification of the applicant's identity is a mandatory requirement for the processing of a visa application.
I feel like I'm having a bit of an identity crisis trying to decide which career path to take.
I feel like I'm having a bit of an identity crisis trying to decide which career path to take.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'ID'. Your 'ID' card is the physical proof of your abstract 'Identity'.
Quick Quiz
The witness was unable to provide a definitive _____ of the suspect during the lineup.
Correct!
The correct answer is: identification
Examples
The artist's work explores the complex relationship between cultural heritage and personal identity.
everydayThe artist's work explores the complex relationship between cultural heritage and personal identity.
Verification of the applicant's identity is a mandatory requirement for the processing of a visa application.
formalVerification of the applicant's identity is a mandatory requirement for the processing of a visa application.
I feel like I'm having a bit of an identity crisis trying to decide which career path to take.
informalI feel like I'm having a bit of an identity crisis trying to decide which career path to take.
Post-structuralist theorists argue that identity is not a fixed essence but a fluid social construct.
academicPost-structuralist theorists argue that identity is not a fixed essence but a fluid social construct.
To remain competitive, the firm must maintain a consistent corporate identity across all international markets.
businessTo remain competitive, the firm must maintain a consistent corporate identity across all international markets.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
identity crisis
a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of self becomes insecure
hidden identity
a state where one's true character or name is kept secret
brand identity
the visible elements of a brand that identify and distinguish the brand in consumers' minds
Often Confused With
Identification refers to the act of identifying or the document (ID) used to prove who you are, whereas identity is the abstract state of being a specific person.
Usage Notes
At the C1 level, 'identity' is frequently used in sociopolitical and psychological contexts to discuss how individuals relate to groups. It can be both a countable noun (different identities) and an uncountable concept.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'show your identity' when they actually mean 'show your identification' or 'show your ID card'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'ID'. Your 'ID' card is the physical proof of your abstract 'Identity'.
Word Origin
From the Late Latin 'identitas', derived from 'idem', meaning 'the same'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many modern Western societies, identity is increasingly discussed as intersectional, combining factors like race, gender, and class.
Quick Quiz
The witness was unable to provide a definitive _____ of the suspect during the lineup.
Correct!
The correct answer is: identification
Related Grammar Rules
Related Words
blacklist
B2To put a person, organization, or country on a list of those who are considered unacceptable and should be avoided or excluded from certain activities or privileges. It is often used to describe the denial of employment, trade, or participation based on previous behavior or reputation.
blackmailer
B2A person who demands money, favors, or specific actions from someone by threatening to reveal damaging secrets or private information about them. It refers to an individual who practices extortion through psychological or reputational leverage.
blackout
B2A blackout refers to a temporary loss of electrical power over an area or a sudden failure of memory or consciousness in an individual. It can also describe a period of censorship where information or news is intentionally suppressed by an authority.
blackthorn
B2A thorny deciduous shrub or small tree of the rose family, native to Europe and western Asia, which produces white flowers in early spring and small, bitter, dark blue fruits known as sloes. It is frequently used for creating dense, prickly hedges and is well-known for providing the wood used in traditional Irish walking sticks.
bladder
B2To swell, puff out, or expand like a balloon, often used in technical contexts to describe membranes filling with air or liquid. Informally, it can also refer to talking at length without much substance or meaning.
blame
B2To consider or state that someone or something is responsible for a mistake, failure, or negative situation. It involves attributing the cause of a problem to a specific person, group, or factor.
blameless
B2Describes someone who has done nothing wrong and cannot be held responsible for a bad situation or mistake. It is often used to emphasize a person's innocence or their morally upright character.
blameworthy
B2Deserving of blame, criticism, or censure because of wrong or negligent behavior. It is often used to describe actions or individuals that are morally or legally responsible for a negative outcome.
blandness
B2Blandness refers to the quality of being uninteresting, dull, or lacking in strong features and characteristics. In a culinary context, it describes food that lacks flavor or seasoning, while in a general context, it describes things that are mediocre or devoid of personality.
blank
B2Describes a surface that has no writing, images, or marks on it, or a state of mind where one cannot remember or think of anything. It is frequently used to describe paper, screens, or facial expressions that lack emotion or understanding.
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