Word
likeness
Phoneticslike·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫaɪknəs/
UK/lˈaɪknəs/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the quality of being similar to someone or something else. It can also mean a picture or statue that looks exactly like a person.
n. the state or quality of being alike; a pictorial or sculptural representation of a person. Often used in the context of physical resemblance between family members.
Examples
“The boy has a strong likeness to his father.”
“The museum recently acquired a bronze likeness of the former president, praised for its realistic detail.”
“While the two sisters share a striking physical likeness, their temperaments are so diametrically opposed that one would hardly guess they were raised in the same household.”
Examples
simple
“The boy has a strong likeness to his father.”
contextual
“The museum recently acquired a bronze likeness of the former president, praised for its realistic detail.”
complex
“While the two sisters share a striking physical likeness, their temperaments are so diametrically opposed that one would hardly guess they were raised in the same household.”
Usage
Often takes the preposition 'to' or 'between'.
Pitfall
the likeness with his brother
the likeness to his brother
While 'similarity' often takes 'with', 'likeness' more naturally pairs with the preposition 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“Users on social media noticed the shape of the stadium engraved on the medal appeared to be carved in the wrong likeness.” “Haley and Hanna Cavinder, who played college basketball for the Miami Hurricanes, were among the first student-athletes to sign major deals over their name, image and likeness.” Etymology
From Middle English liknesse, from Old English līcness, ġelīcnes (“the quality of being like or equal; likeness; image; copy; pattern; example; parable”), from Proto-West Germanic *galīkanassī (“likeness”), equivalent to like + -ness. Cognate with West Frisian likenis (“likeness”), Dutch gelijkenis (“similarity; likeness; parable”), German Low German Glieknis (“form; semblance; likeness; parable”), German Gleichnis (“form; semblance; image; likeness; parable; simile”). The verb is derived from the noun. Compare also Old Norse líkneskja (“figure, image, appearance, likeness”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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