likewise

likewise — adverb

1. in a manner that is the same or closely similar to the action or situation alrea

1.adverbB1
Definition

in a manner that is the same or closely similar to the action or situation already described

Example

Yasmin wore a blue dress to the party, and her twin sister dressed likewise.

do likewise — pattern for mirroring an action

The first chapter explains the problem; the second chapter likewise looks at possible answers.

likewise as a sentence adverb comparing two items

Common collocations
  • do likewise
  • act likewise
  • likewise follow
  • think likewise
  • dressed likewise
Synonyms
  • similarly

    the closest synonym; can begin a sentence, while 'likewise' in this sense usually follows the verb

  • in the same manner

    more formal and wordier; typical in legal or academic writing

  • correspondingly

    emphasizes a proportional or matching relationship; more formal

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + likewise

do likewise

Usage Note

Often appears in the pattern 'do likewise' or 'act likewise', where 'likewise' substitutes for a full repeated verb phrase. Unlike 'similarly', it rarely starts a sentence in this sense.

Common Mistakes

She likes music, and I likewise.
She likes music, and I do likewise.
likewise is an adverb and needs a main verb; it cannot replace a verb phrase on its own.

2. used to introduce an extra fact or point that is connected to what has just been

2.adverbB1
Definition

used to introduce an extra fact or point that is connected to what has just been stated

Example

The hotel has a large swimming pool; likewise, it offers free breakfast to all guests.

likewise as a sentence connector meaning 'also'

Renata loves jazz music and, likewise, enjoys going to live concerts.

Common collocations
  • likewise, [clause]
  • and likewise
Synonyms
  • also

    simpler and less formal; more common in everyday speech

  • moreover

    equally formal but placed at the start of a clause; cannot be embedded mid-clause like 'likewise'

  • furthermore

    stronger emphasis on adding a new point; very formal

Antonyms
  • however

    introduces a contrasting point rather than an additional one

Grammar Patterns

likewise, [independent clause]

[clause] ; likewise, [clause]

Usage Note

Commonly appears after a semicolon or at the start of a new sentence to add a related point. More formal than 'also' in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

He likes cooking, likewise he enjoys baking.
He likes cooking; likewise, he enjoys baking.
When 'likewise' means 'also', it should be separated by a semicolon or full stop, not a comma alone.

3. a one-word spoken answer used when you share the feeling or opinion that someone

3.adverbB1
Definition

a one-word spoken answer used when you share the feeling or opinion that someone has just expressed

Example

"I'm really tired today." "Likewise — I only slept four hours last night."

one-word conversational reply in spoken English

"I really enjoyed our conversation, Maeve." "Likewise, Anong — I learned a lot from you today."

Synonyms
  • me too

    more casual and very common in everyday speech; 'likewise' sounds slightly more polished

  • same here

    very informal, common in American English

  • the feeling is mutual

    more formal and full-phrased; used mainly for reciprocal compliments

Grammar Patterns

used as a single-word response: 'Likewise.'

Usage Note

Used mainly in spoken English as a short reply. It is a complete utterance on its own — unlike sense 1, it cannot be followed by a verb. The full form would be something like 'I feel the same way'.

Common Mistakes

A: Nice to meet you. B: I likewise.
A: Nice to meet you. B: Likewise.
In this sense, 'likewise' stands alone as the complete reply; adding 'I' is ungrammatical.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Similarly is the closest everyday synonym and can appear at the start of a clause ('Similarly, the second experiment…'), whereas likewise in this sense typically follows the verb ('the second experiment was done likewise'). Correspondingly is more formal and highlights a proportional relationship — used when a change in one thing matches a change in another ('Profits fell; correspondingly, bonuses were cut'). In the same manner is a longer, more literary phrase that works well in written instructions or legal texts. Analogously is used in academic and technical writing to compare two situations that share a logical structure ('Analogously, the heart functions as a pump'). For everyday use, similarly is the safest choice; likewise fits best when the second action mirrors the first in a tight, parallel structure.

similarly ↗correspondinglyin the same manneranalogously

Common collocations

Phrases

  • and likewise
  • do likewise
  • act likewise
  • think likewise

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Formed in Middle English from 'like' (meaning 'similar') combined with '-wise' (meaning 'way or manner'), from the phrase 'in like wise'. The compound 'likewise' first appeared in the 1400s. The conversational reply sense — a short standalone response — developed much later in modern English.