resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling ri-ˈzem-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father

2

archaic : to represent as like

Examples of resemble in a Sentence

He strongly resembles his father in appearance and in temperament.

Terrier dogs closely resemble each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

Doctors suspected polio after symptoms resembled the virus, which was confirmed in tests conducted in Amman, the capital of Jordan, the agency said. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025

Empty storage trailers, cars and buses sit scattered across some parking lots that resemble junkyards. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2025

Mice typically produce pulses of ultrasonic squeaks that resemble syllables in human language. —Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025

That mountain aesthetic weaves its way throughout the hotel, including in the lobby, where the reception desk is meant to resemble granite boulders, along with custom lighting throughout inspired by ski gondolas and an art collection that pays homage to the history of Breckenridge. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblen, rasemblen "to be like, compare," borrowed from Anglo-French resembler, rasembler "to be like, appear to be, compare (to)" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + sembler "to look like, seem to be" — more at semblance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father