similar

[ sim-uh-ler ]

adjective

1. having a likeness or resemblance, especially in a general way:

   two similar houses.

   Synonyms: like

   Antonyms: different

2. Geometry. (of figures) having the same shape; having corresponding sides proportional and corresponding angles equal:

   similar triangles.

3. Mathematics. (of two square matrices) related by means of a similarity transformation.

similar

/ ˈsɪmɪlə; ˌsɪmɪˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. showing resemblance in qualities, characteristics, or appearance; alike but not identical
2. geometry (of two or more figures) having corresponding angles equal and all corresponding sides in the same ratio Compare congruent
3. maths (of two classes) equinumerous

Usage

As should not be used after similar: Wilson held a similar position to Jones (not a similar position as Jones ); the system is similar to the one in France (not similar as the one in France )

Derived Forms

• similarity, noun
• ˈsimilarly, adverb

Other Words From

• sim·i·lar·ly adverb
• non·sim·i·lar adjective
• qua·si-sim·i·lar adjective
• self-sim·i·lar adjective
• un·sim·i·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of similar¹

First recorded in 1605–15; earlier similary, from French similaire or directly from Medieval Latin similāris, equivalent to Latin simili(s) “like, similar” (akin to simul “together”; simplex ) + -āris -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of similar¹

C17: from Old French similaire, from Latin similis

Synonym Study

See same.

Example Sentences

Half a world away, Brenton Tarrant had been absorbing similar ideas and decided to act on them.

From Salon

A 2022 study examining eco-fascist sentiments on Stormfront identified more than 10,000 similar comments across hundreds of threads, some of which had been viewed more than 4 million times.

From Salon

Other chancellors have aimed to make similar moves, including George Osborne who, in 2015, set out plans for local government schemes to pool resources,

From BBC

He had set up his own organisation, Zambesi Ministries, with funding from the UK - and was meting out similar punishments at camps that he marketed at the country’s top schools.

From BBC

Due to the head-to-head tiebreaker, it would need a two-goal win over Croatia at Hampden on Friday and similar in Poland on Monday.

From BBC

Related Words

• akin
• analogous
• comparable
• complementary
• identical
• related