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

Derrick Lemons, a University of Georgia professor who represents UGA on the USG’s faculty council, noted the University System has similarities to a large company. — Jason Armesto, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026

The arrangement has similarities to CRISPR systems, although researchers do not yet know what ART does. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

But perhaps more than the physical similarities between the products and the menu, Charlotte Palermino, cofounder and chief brand officer of Dieux, was drawn to the message and motivation behind Fishwife. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Cruise also can’t stop bringing up his Tropic Thunder character Les Grossman, who does seem to bare some similarities to Digger in that both are prosthetics-laden olden men with bombastic personalities. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 18 Sep. 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