Similitude: meaning, definitions and examples

Suitable for formal or literary contexts where a detailed or abstract comparison is being made.

• The poem draws a beautiful similitude between love and the changing seasons
• The artist's work bears a profound similitude to that of the Renaissance masters

Typically used to refer to visual or physical similarities. Can be used in casual or formal contexts.

• There is a striking likeness between the two siblings
• His portrait bears a remarkable likeness to the original photo

Used to describe a similarity, usually in appearance or character, and is suitable for both spoken and written contexts.

• The resemblance between the twins is uncanny
• Despite their different personalities, there is a clear resemblance in their mannerisms

Commonly used in situations where a clear, instructive comparison is being made, often to explain or clarify a concept.

• Her explanation used an analogy between the growth of a tree and the development of one's skills
• The teacher made an analogy to help students grasp the complex idea

Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a close comparison or a profound similarity between things.

• The poetic similitude between love and the ocean was striking
• The critics admired the similitude of his paintings to the works of the Renaissance masters

Commonly used to refer to the visual or physical similarity between people or objects, and often in contexts where the appearance is being compared.

• There is a striking likeness between the two brothers
• The artist captured the exact likeness of the famous singer in his portrait

Most appropriate for general use when pointing out similarities, particularly physical or characteristic traits, between different entities.

• You can see the resemblance between the twins in their smiles
• The building’s architecture has a clear resemblance to ancient Greek temples

Best used when drawing comparisons to explain complex ideas or concepts by relating them to something familiar or simpler.

• She used an analogy to explain the functioning of the human brain by comparing it to a computer
• The teacher drew an analogy between the solar system and a spinning top to help students understand planetary motion

Used often in formal, literary, or academic contexts to describe a likeness or comparison between two things, focusing on their shared attributes.

• The poet used a clever similitude to compare life to a winding river.
• There is a deep similitude between the two philosophies.

Commonly used in everyday language to describe things that are alike but not necessarily identical, focusing on their resemblance.

• The similarity between the twins is remarkable.
• Despite their differences, there is a similarity in their approach to problem-solving.

Best used when discussing things that are equal in value, function, or meaning, often in mathematical, scientific, or logical contexts.

• In chemistry, the equivalence of two compounds means they react in the same way.
• There is an equivalence between the two mathematical expressions.

Refers to a direct relationship or agreement between two or more things, often used in context with data, measurements, or communication.

• The correspondence between the two sets of data was striking.
• Their letters were a testament to their long-standing correspondence.