resemblance

Everyday

1. Being similar to someone or something, especially in how they look: a strong family resemblance. tree →
2. A way in which things are similar. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and family life: «You bear a strong resemblance to your dad». In science, children resemble their parents because of genes. In maths, similar shapes bear a resemblance: same shape, different size. Phrases: «bear a resemblance to», «a strong/close resemblance», «family resemblance», «any resemblance is purely coincidental».

Examples

• There is a strong resemblance between the twins. tree →
• She bears a resemblance to her grandmother. tree →
• The cloud had a resemblance to a dragon. tree →
• The copy bore little resemblance to the real painting. tree →
• There is a family resemblance in their smiles. tree →
• The two triangles have a close resemblance: one is double the size. tree →
• A resemblance to the great in some things does not make us great. tree →

Note

Countable or uncountable. Verb: resemble (no «to»: «she resembles her mum»). Spelling: re-sem-BL-ANCE (-ance, not -ence).