resemble
Resemble (verb) means to look like or share qualities with someone or something. Example: “The building resembles a giant seashell from the outside.”
How to use resemble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo be similar to, or look like, someone or something.
Word forms
resembled past tense, resembles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The building _____ a giant seashell from the outside.
Etymology
From Old French resembler, from re- plus sembler ("to seem").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for resemble
See all rhymes for resemble →Frequently asked questions
What does “resemble” mean?
The word “resemble” means to look like or share qualities with someone or something. In plain terms, to be similar to, or look like, someone or something.
How do you pronounce “resemble”?
“Resemble” is pronounced rih-ZEHM-buhl (/ɹɪˈzɛmbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “resemble” in a sentence?
Here is “resemble” used in a sentence: “The building resembles a giant seashell from the outside.”
What is another word for “resemble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “resemble” include mirror, duplicate, look like and smack of.
What is the opposite of “resemble”?
The opposite of “resemble” — its antonyms — are differ, connaturalize, assimilate, normalize and standardise.
What part of speech is “resemble”?
“Resemble” is a verb.
Where does the word “resemble” come from?
The word “resemble” comes from Old French. From Old French resembler, from re- plus sembler ("to seem").
Is “resemble” a common word?
“Resemble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "resemble" and "look like"?
"Resemble" and "look like" are close synonyms, both meaning to share qualities or appearance with someone or something. "Resemble" is generally more formal and can apply to shared traits beyond just visual appearance, while "look like" is more casual and usually visual.
Is "resemble" a transitive or intransitive verb?
"Resemble" is a transitive verb, meaning it always takes a direct object, as in "She resembles her mother." It is not used with a preposition like "resemble to," which is a common mistake for non-native speakers.
Can "resemble" be used for non-physical similarities?
Yes, "resemble" can describe non-physical similarities, such as a plan resembling an earlier failed strategy, in addition to physical likeness between people or things. It broadly means to look like or share qualities with someone or something.