> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.snomed.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.snomed.org/snomed-international-documents/snomed-ct-glossary/s/synonym.md).

# synonym

## synonym

A word or phrase that expresses the meaning of a SNOMED CT concept in a specified language.

#### Notes

* Each *synonym* is represented by the *term* in a SNOMED CT description with the *typeId* value [900000000000013009 | Synonym|](http://snomed.info/id/900000000000013009) .
* *Synonyms* allow the same concept to be expressed in different ways.
* Unlike fully specified names, *synonyms* are not necessarily unique as the same *term* may be used to describe more than one concept.
* In any given language context, a concept may have any number of *synonyms* that are acceptable for use and must have one *synonym* that is preferred for use (the preferred term). The *synonyms* that are preferred or acceptable are specified by a *language reference set* for the relevant *language context*.

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