similarity

similarity — noun

1. how much or in what ways someone or something is like another person or thing, w

1.nounB1
Definition

how much or in what ways someone or something is like another person or thing, without necessarily being identical — for instance, two sweaters from different shops that have the same colour and shape.

Example

There is a clear similarity between the handwriting on the note and Eve's signature.

similarity between [noun] and [noun]

Lakshmi saw a striking similarity between her grandmother's recipes and the old cookbook.

striking similarity — strong degree of likeness

Common collocations
  • striking similarity
  • close similarity
  • superficial similarity
  • remarkable similarity
  • bear a similarity to
  • strong similarity
Synonyms
  • resemblance

    Often limited to physical or outward likeness; stronger than similarity in visual contexts

  • likeness

    Slightly more formal; can apply to both physical and abstract qualities

  • affinity

    Suggests a natural connection or shared underlying quality, not just surface alikeness

Antonyms
  • difference

    The general opposite; something that makes things unlike each other

  • dissimilarity

    The formal counterpart; used when highlighting lack of likeness

Grammar Patterns

similarity between X and Y

similarity of X to Y

Usage Note

Typically uncountable; refers to the general quality of being alike in appearance, character, or nature. When a specific likeness is being counted, the countable form (see sense 2) is used instead.

Common Mistakes

There are many similarity between the two cities.
There is much similarity between the two cities.
Here 'similarity' is an uncountable quality; use 'much' not 'many'.
The similarity of the twins is striking.' (when referring to specific shared features)
The similarities between the twins are striking.
Specific shared features need the plural countable form.

2. a specific feature, detail, or aspect that two or more things or people share, m

2.nounB1
Definition

a specific feature, detail, or aspect that two or more things or people share, making them alike in that particular way — for example, two smartphone models that share the same screen resolution.

Example

Though raised in different countries, Marco and Apinya found surprising similarities in their family traditions.

discover similarities in [noun phrase]

The teacher asked the class to list similarities between the novel and the film.

list the similarities between [noun] and [noun]

Common collocations
  • share similarities
  • have similarities
  • point out similarities
  • notable similarity
  • important similarity
  • striking similarity
Synonyms
  • commonality

    Used especially in data/comparison contexts; slightly more technical

  • parallel

    Emphasises a comparable development or pattern across different contexts

  • correspondence

    Highlights a direct match between features; more formal

  • analogy

    A similarity of function or structure between things that are otherwise different

Antonyms
  • difference

    A specific feature that distinguishes rather than unites

  • distinction

    Emphasises a clear separating feature between similar items

Grammar Patterns

similarities between X and Y

similarities in [noun phrase]

have similarities

Usage Note

Always countable; each similarity is one specific shared feature. The plural form (similarities) is very common when listing or comparing multiple shared aspects. Distinguish from sense 1, which treats likeness as an uncountable quality rather than individual features.

Common Mistakes

A similarity of the two movies is their music.
A similarity between the two movies is their music.
Use 'between' (not 'of') when comparing two entities.
The two books has some similarities.
The two books have some similarities.
'Similarities' is plural countable; the verb must agree ('have', not 'has').

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Similarity is the most general and neutral term — it covers any way in which things are alike, from appearance to behaviour to abstract qualities. Resemblance is more concrete and is used most often for visual or physical likeness (e.g., 'the child bears a strong resemblance to her father'). Likeness is slightly more formal and often suggests a deeper or more inherent alikeness (e.g., 'a family likeness in their gestures and expressions'). Affinity implies an underlying natural connection or compatibility — things that share fundamental qualities or appeal to each other (e.g., 'the affinity between folk music and storytelling'). Analogy is the most intellectual: it compares two different domains to highlight a functional similarity (e.g., 'drawing an analogy between the heart and a pump'). Use similarity for everyday comparisons; use analogy for explanatory or argumentative comparisons; use resemblance for visual alikeness.

resemblance ↗likenessaffinity ↗analogy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in similarity to
  • bear a similarity to
  • show a similarity with
  • on the basis of similarity

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Similarity entered English in the mid-17th century, adapted from the French 'similarité', which itself came from the Latin 'similis', meaning 'like' or 'resembling'. The root 'similis' also gave us 'similar', 'simile' (a figure of speech comparing two unlike things), and 'simulate' (to imitate). The word replaced the earlier 'similitude' in everyday use, though 'similitude' survives in more formal or mathematical contexts.