Likeness
/ˈlaɪknəs/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe quality or fact of being similar; resemblance.
/ˈlaɪknəs/
A resemblance or similarity.
The artist captured a perfect likeness of the queen in the painting.
💡 Simply: It means when something or someone looks or is similar to another thing or person. Imagine you have a twin; they have a strong likeness to you!
👶 For kids: When something looks like something else!
More Examples
There was a striking likeness between the two sisters.
The criminal's likeness was circulated to the public to aid in his capture.
How It's Used
"The portrait captures a striking likeness to the subject."
"The suspect was identified based on a photographic likeness."
A picture, image, or representation.
/ˈlaɪknəs/
A representation or image.
The museum displayed a bronze likeness of the famous author.
💡 Simply: It can also mean a picture or statue of someone. Like a drawing of your favorite superhero – that's a likeness!
👶 For kids: A picture or drawing of someone or something!
More Examples
The artist created a stunning likeness in clay.
The coin bears the likeness of the president.
How It's Used
"The statue was a likeness of the king."
"The commandment forbids the creation of any likeness of God."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Middle English *likenesse*, from Old English *līcnyss* (“likeness, image, resemblance”), equivalent to like + -ness.
Historically used in religious contexts to refer to representations of deities, often subject to rules or prohibitions.
Memory tip
Think of a 'like' on social media – it's an acknowledgment of similarity or a positive resemblance.
Word Origin
"like + -ness (state or quality of)"