alike

The word “alike” means similar or resembling one another. In plain terms, similar to each other, or "equally" when placed after a list of people or things.

“Alike” is pronounced uh-LYK (/əˈlaɪk/ in IPA).

Here is “alike” used in a sentence: “The twins look so alike that even their teachers mix them up.”

The opposite of “alike” — its antonyms — is unlike.

Depending on how it is used, “alike” can be an adjective and an adverb.

The word “alike” comes from Old English. From Old English gelic ("alike, similar"), related to German gleich.

“Alike” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Alike” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: similar or resembling one another.

Both describe things that resemble one another, but 'alike' normally comes after the noun or verb it describes, as in 'the twins look alike,' while 'similar' usually comes before a noun, as in 'a similar design.' 'Alike' can also act as an adverb meaning 'equally' or 'in the same way.'

'Alike' is a predicative adjective, meaning it normally follows a linking verb rather than sitting directly in front of a noun. You would say 'the two ideas are alike' rather than 'alike ideas'; to place a word before the noun, use 'similar' or 'matching' instead.

'Like' is usually a preposition or conjunction that compares one thing to another, as in 'she sings like her mother,' while 'alike' is an adjective or adverb describing two or more things that resemble each other, as in 'the sisters sing alike.' 'Alike' does not take an object, so you cannot say 'alike her mother.'