Synonyms are words different in sound and spelling but most nearly alike or exactly the same in meaning.同义词是发音和拼写不同但在意义上极为相似或完全相同的词。

Synonyms share a likeness in denotation as well as part of speech, for a verb cannot have an adjective as its synonym.同义词在外延意义和词性上要具有相似性。

1. Types of synonyms

1）Absolute synonyms绝对同义词

Absolute synonyms are words whose meaning is fully identical in any context so that one can always be substituted for the other without the slightest change in meaning. This kind of synonyms is rare and may be found in special terminology such as compounding and composition in lexicology, malnutrition and undernourishment in medicine.

2）Relative synonyms

Synonyms which denote different shades of meaning or different degrees of a given quality are called relative synonyms. 

2. Sources of synonyms同义词的来源

Borrowing借入

正如Baugh所说：“英语同义词之所以丰富，主要是由于拉丁语、法语和本族语成分的和谐混合所致。”   Words of native origin form many couplets（双词模式）and triplets（三词模式）with those from other languages.

Match the following native terms with their Latin counterparts.

Native                    Latin

Friendship                     maternal 

Hearty                          enemy

Inner                             amity

Outer                            acute

Motherly                       cordial

Sharp                            interior

Deed                            action

Foe                              exterior                     

In this pattern, native, French, and Latin or Greek words co-exist.

Native              French               Latin/Greek

Begin                   terror                      trepidation

Rise                     flame                      interrogate

Ask                      commence              ascend

Fire                      firm                        conflagration

Fear                     question                   secure

Fast                      mount                     initiate

Dialects and regional English 地域性语言和方言

Figurative and euphemistic use of words 词的比喻和委婉用法

Coincidence with idiomatic expressions 单词与习惯表达在意义上的偶合

3. Discrimination of synonyms同义词的区别

To sum up, the differences between synonyms may boil down to three areas: denotation, connotation, and application.

Difference in range and intensity of meaning语义范围与强度的不同

Difference in stylistic features

Difference in emotive colouring

Difference in application