Be similar to Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Home
/ Dictionary
/ Be similar to

👯

Add to dictionary

be similar to

[sɪˈmɪlər tuː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in relation to appearance or qualities

resemble someone or something in appearance, character, or action

Synonyms

be akin to, look like, resemble.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
be similar to	Used in general comparisons where two or more things have common characteristics. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. His writing style is similar to that of Hemingway The insect's wings are similar to those of a butterfly
be akin to	Often used in more formal writing or speech to emphasize a close relationship or similarity between two things, especially in terms of nature, essence, or function. His concept is akin to a philosophical theory The loneliness she felt was akin to despair

Word

Description / Examples

be similar to

Used in general comparisons where two or more things have common characteristics. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

His writing style is similar to that of Hemingway
The insect's wings are similar to those of a butterfly

be akin to

Often used in more formal writing or speech to emphasize a close relationship or similarity between two things, especially in terms of nature, essence, or function.

His concept is akin to a philosophical theory
The loneliness she felt was akin to despair

Examples of usage

The two brothers closely resemble each other.
Her new haircut makes her resemble a famous actress.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in relation to being equal or equivalent

be almost the same as or have a quality similar to

Synonyms

alike, analogous, comparable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
be similar to	This phrase is often used in formal and informal conversations to indicate resemblance between two or more things. It implies that two objects, ideas, or situations share common traits or characteristics. Her painting style is very similar to that of Picasso. Their business model is similar to ours.
alike	This word is typically used to describe two or more things that look almost identical or have the same qualities. It is commonly used in everyday language and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The twins look so alike that I can hardly tell them apart. Their reactions to the news were surprisingly alike.
comparable	This word is used when indicating that two entities can be meaningfully compared due to their similarities. It is often found in evaluative or analytical contexts. The costs of the two projects are comparable. His performance this season is comparable to the best in the league.
analogous	This term is more formal and is often used in academic, scientific, or technical contexts to draw a comparison that highlights similarities between two distinctly different things, particularly when explaining a concept. The human eye and a camera are analogous in how they capture images. His role in the company is analogous to that of a conductor in an orchestra.

Examples of usage

The taste of the dish is similar to that of traditional Italian cuisine.
The two proposals are similar in nature.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'be similar to'

The word 'similar' comes from the Latin word 'similis', meaning like or resembling. The concept of similarity has been studied in various fields such as mathematics, psychology, and biology. Understanding similarities and differences between objects or concepts is essential for categorization and pattern recognition.