similar
SIHM-ih-luh
Similar (adjective) means sharing enough features with something else to be alike, though not identical. Example: “The two proposals were similar in almost every respect.”
adjective
1
Sharing enough features with something else to be alike, though not identical.
"The two proposals were similar in almost every respect."
"She wore a dress similar to her sister's."
"My brother and I have similar tastes in music and films."
2
(geometry) Having the same shape but not necessarily the same size, with matching angles and proportional sides.
"The two triangles are similar because their angles all match."
"A small triangle and a larger similar triangle have proportional sides."
"The teacher asked us to prove that the two shapes were similar."
How to use similar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAlike in some important way, without being exactly the same.
Common mistake
Say "similar to," not "similar than" or "similar as."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
similar to
a similar situation
broadly similar
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Word forms
- Plural
- similars
- Comparative
- more similar
- Superlative
- most similar
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two proposals were _____ in almost every respect.
Etymology
From French similaire, based on Latin similis, "like, resembling."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for similar
See all rhymes for similar →Frequently asked questions
What does “similar” mean?
The word “similar” means sharing enough features with something else to be alike, though not identical. In plain terms, alike in some important way, without being exactly the same.
How do you pronounce “similar”?
“Similar” is pronounced SIHM-ih-luh (/ˈsɪm.ə.lɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “similar” in a sentence?
Here is “similar” used in a sentence: “The two proposals were similar in almost every respect.”
What is another word for “similar”?
Words with a similar meaning to “similar” include akin, allied, alike, comparable, identical and same.
What is the opposite of “similar”?
The opposite of “similar” — its antonyms — are different, unlike, dissimilar and unique.
What part of speech is “similar”?
“Similar” is an adjective.
Where does the word “similar” come from?
The word “similar” comes from Latin. From French similaire, based on Latin similis, "like, resembling.".
Is “similar” a common word?
“Similar” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between similar and identical?
Similar things share enough features to seem alike but still differ in some way. Identical things are exactly the same, with no meaningful difference at all. Two brothers may look similar; identical twins look the same. Similar always leaves room for variation, whereas identical rules it out.
What is the difference between similar and same?
Same means there is no difference — one thing, or two things exactly matching. Similar means alike but not the same, sharing important features while differing in others. If two answers are the same, they match completely; if they are similar, they resemble each other but are not interchangeable.
What is the opposite of similar?
The main opposites are different, dissimilar, and unlike. Where similar stresses shared features, these words stress contrast — things that have little or nothing in common. Contrasting and distinct also work when the point is that two things clearly stand apart rather than resemble each other.
What is an example of similar?
Lemons and limes are similar: both are small, sour citrus fruits, yet they differ in colour and taste. Two houses on the same street can have similar designs without being identical. In each case, the things clearly resemble each other while keeping noticeable differences.
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