Resemble: Definition, Common Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：look similar to (resemble)

resemble 🔊

/rɪˈzemb(ə)l/

vt.

to look like or be similar to someone or something.

Resemble meaning illustrated by two siblings with similar facial features and expressions

look similar to 🔊

➕

/lʊk ˈsɪmɪlə tə/

vt.

To share noticeable characteristics in appearance, form, or nature with someone or something else.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'similis' (like, similar) with prefix 're-' (again), meaning 'to be like again'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: RE- (again) + SEMBLE (like 'assemble'). You assemble matching features to make things look alike AGAIN.

📖 Example

The two brothers resemble each other so much that people often mistake one for the other in crowds. 🔊 The two siblings look so much alike that in a crowd, they are frequently confused for one another.

🔗 Collocations

resemble closely – to be very similar in appearance or character

bear a resemblance to – to have a similarity with someone or something

strikingly resemble – to look remarkably like

🔄 Synonyms

look like (phr. v.) – to have a similar appearance to

be similar to (phr. v.) – to share qualities or features with

take after (phr. v.) – to resemble a family member, especially a parent

🚫 Antonyms

differ from (phr. v.) – to be unlike or dissimilar to

be unlike (phr. v.) – to not resemble; to be different from

contrast with (phr. v.) – to be strikingly different when compared

🌱 Derivatives

resemblance (n.) – the state of resembling or being alike

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'resemble' entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'resembler', itself from Latin 'resemblare' ('re-' + 'similis'). It initially emphasized visual likeness, a core meaning that persists today in contexts from family traits to product design comparisons.