similarity

noun

sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty ˌsi-mə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

plural similarities

1

: the quality or state of being similar : resemblance

2

: a comparable aspect : correspondence

Synonyms of similarity

• resemblance

Choose the Right Synonym for similarity

likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy mean agreement or correspondence in details.

likeness implies a closer correspondence than similarity which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike.

a remarkable likeness to his late father

some similarity between the two cases

resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities.

statements that bear little resemblance to the truth

similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions.

two schools of social thought showing points of similitude

analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities.

pointed out analogies to past wars

Examples of similarity in a Sentence

I doubt that these words are related beyond a similarity in sound.

The books share a similarity of ideas.

I see a lot of similarities in them.

Looking at these fossils, I see some similarity to modern-day birds.

I see very little similarity between your situation and his.

Recent Examples on the Web

Students also did research on various candidates and prepared their own voter guides, which featured key issues, platforms and points of similarity and contrast. —Froylan Jimenez, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

They were included to demonstrate the similarities between cases and the terror that victims were forced to endure. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Three days after elbow stiffness forced him from the game, Pivetta did not push back on the potential similarities. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

Coleman and his similarities to Frank Gore would be the favorite to back up Henry and step in as a Top 20 option if Henry gets hurt. —Jake Ciely, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin similāritāt-, similāritās, from Medieval Latin similāris similar + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing similarity

• self-similarity
• there the similarity ends

Rhymes for similarity

• angularity
• bipolarity
• capillarity
• cellularity
• circularity
• familiarity
• granularity
• insincerity
• insularity
• modularity
• osmolarity
• popularity

Kids Definition

similarity

noun

sim·​i·​lar·​i·​ty ˌsim-ə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

plural similarities

1

: the quality or state of being similar : resemblance

2

: a point in which things are similar : correspondence