A synonym is another name given to an existing table or view. Usually a synonym is used to define a more meaningful name for use by a particular application, or by a particular set of users. Synonyms are frequently used to replace two or three-part object names with one-part names (synonyms themselves can only be defined as one-part names). Synonyms can only be used to refer to a data objects in the current location, and can only be used by the AuthID that created them. This differs from aliases, which can rename objects in other locations, and can be used by anyone.