similarity

noun

sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty ˌsi-mə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

plural similarities

1

: the quality or state of being similar : resemblance

2

: a comparable aspect : correspondence

Synonyms

• alikeness
• community
• comparability
• correspondence
• likeness
• parallelism
• resemblance
• similitude

Choose the Right Synonym for similarity

likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy mean agreement or correspondence in details.

likeness implies a closer correspondence than similarity which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike.

a remarkable likeness to his late father

some similarity between the two cases

resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

Examples of similarity in a Sentence

I doubt that these words are related beyond a similarity in sound.

The books share a similarity of ideas.

I see a lot of similarities in them.

Looking at these fossils, I see some similarity to modern-day birds.

I see very little similarity between your situation and his.

Recent Examples on the Web

When asked about the similarity between the two sums, Awuah-Darko tells me in an email that perhaps Wiley was behind Sakyiamah’s suit. —Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024

Related article Archaeologists unearth tiny 3,500-year-old clay tablet following an earthquake A study detailing the similarities was published Tuesday in the journal Antiquity. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Demographically, lots of similarities, lots of overlaps. —NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024

Business Implications: While the radical sabbatical concept is not yet widely implemented in its full form, several forward-thinking companies, like Patagonia, Adobe and Zillow, have been experimenting with innovative sabbatical programs that share some similarities. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin similāritāt-, similāritās, from Medieval Latin similāris similar + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing similarity

• self-similarity
• there the similarity ends

Kids Definition

similarity

noun

sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty ˌsim-ə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

plural similarities

1

: the quality or state of being similar : resemblance

2

: a point in which things are similar : correspondence