If one thing is similar to another, or if two things are similar, they have features that are the same.
...a savoury cake with a texture similar to that of carrot cake. [+ to]
The accident was similar to one that happened in 1973. [+ to]
...a group of similar pictures.
Synonyms: like, much the same as, comparable to, analogous to More Synonyms of similar
More Synonyms of similar
similar in British English
(ˈsɪmɪlə)
adjective
1.
showing resemblance in qualities, characteristics, or appearance; alike but not identical
2. geometry
(of two or more figures) having corresponding angles equal and all corresponding sides in the same ratio
Compare congruent (sense 2)
3. mathematics
(of two classes) equinumerous
▶ USAGE As should not be used after similar: Wilson held a similar position to Jones (not a similar position as Jones); the system is similar to the one in France (not similar as the one in France)
Derived forms
similarity (ˌsɪmɪˈlærɪtɪ)
noun
similarly (ˈsimilarly)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Old French similaire, from Latin similis
similar in American English
(ˈsɪmələr)
adjective
1.
nearly but not exactly the same or alike; having a resemblance
2. Geometry
having the same shape, but not the same size or position
Derived forms
similarly (ˈsimilarly)
adverb
Word origin
Fr similaire < L similis: see same
Examples of 'similar' in a sentence
similar
Under these circumstances the firms will end up offering essentially similar products at identical prices.
Yearley, Steven Science, Technology, and Social Change (1988)
We wrote a similar story six weeks ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The leaves look so similar that the test had to identify compounds by their atomic composition.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Unison maintained the turnout figures were similar to those in recent strike ballots.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We had similar tastes in music and other entertainment.
Christianity Today (2000)
Similar in appearance to butter beans but smaller.
Elliot, Rose Cooking with Beans and Pulses
The taste and texture are similar to foie gras.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They would do something similar on crime policy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They are far too similar to one another.
The Sun (2006)
My friends are in a similar situation or else are unemployed.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The solicitors identified thousands of other investors who were in a similar position to me.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We see similar problems in the workplace.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They are also lower in calories compared with a similar size serving of proper crisps.
The Sun (2012)
It will be a similar story tomorrow.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The figures were similar for secondary pupils.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This looks and tastes like similar spreads made from cream cheese.
Bennett, Carol Asthma and Eczema - special diet cookbook (1989)
There is a danger that something similar is happening with multinational companies and tax.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is reassuring knowing you are going to meet people in a similar situation to yourself.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The head coach now finds himself in a similar position.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We had a similar problem four years ago and the big apples just lingered on the shelves.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The two are similar in size and activity.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They want to have an experience seeing the movie similar if not identical to the experience they had reading it.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Medics can be seen laughing as they removed the fish - which looks similar to an eel.
The Sun (2014)
The brothers are two sides of the same coin: similar in appearance but opposite in personality.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
similar
British English: similar /ˈsɪmɪlə/ ADJECTIVE
If one thing is similar to another, or if a number of things are similar, they have features that are the same.
The accident is similar to one that happened last year.
American English: similar
Arabic: مـُمَاثِل
Brazilian Portuguese: semelhante
Chinese: 相似的
Croatian: sličan
Czech: podobný
Danish: lignende
Dutch: gelijksoortig
European Spanish: similar
Finnish: samanlainen
French: similaire
German: ähnlich
Greek: παρόμοιος
Italian: simile
Japanese: 類似した
Korean: 비슷한
Norwegian: tilsvarende
Polish: podobny
European Portuguese: semelhante
Romanian: similar
Russian: подобный
Latin American Spanish: similar
Swedish: liknande
Thai: คล้ายคลึง
Turkish: benzer
Ukrainian: схожий
Vietnamese: tương tự
All related terms of 'similar'
similar case
A particular case is a particular situation or incident , especially one that you are using as an individual example or instance of something.
similar path
A path that you take is a particular course of action or way of achieving something.
similar trend
A trend is a change or development towards something new or different .
similar manner
The manner in which you do something is the way that you do it.
similar number
You use number with words such as 'large' or 'small' to say approximately how many things or people there are.
similar scheme
A scheme is a plan or arrangement involving many people which is made by a government or other organization.
similar stories
A story is a description of an event or something that happened to someone, especially a spoken description of it.
similar tactics
Tactics are the methods that you choose to use in order to achieve what you want in a particular situation.
similar background
Your background is the kind of family you come from and the kind of education you have had. It can also refer to such things as your social and racial origins , your financial status , or the type of work experience that you have.
similar complaint
A complaint is a statement in which you express your dissatisfaction with a particular situation .
similar incident
An incident is something that happens , often something that is unpleasant.
similar proportion
A proportion of a group or an amount is a part of it.
similar triangles
triangles that are similar due to the equality of corresponding angles and the proportional similarity of the corresponding sides
own or similar occupation
A policyholder's own or similar occupation is the job that they were doing before they became disabled or a job with similar duties and training .
Chinese translation of 'similar'
similar
(ˈsɪmɪləʳ)
adj
相似的 (xiāngsì de)
to be similar to sth和某事物类(類)似 (hé mǒushìwù lèisì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
alike but not identical
The sisters looked very similar.
Synonyms
alike
We are very alike.
uniform
Chips should be cut into uniform size and thickness.
resembling
corresponding
comparable
The scoring systems used in the two studies are not directly comparable.
much the same
akin
indistinguishable
homogeneous
The unemployed are not a homogeneous group.
of a piece
homogenous
cut from the same cloth
congruous
Opposites
different
,
opposite
,
dissimilar
,
various
,
clashing
,
varying
, contrary,
diverse
,
contradictory
,
unrelated
,
disparate
,
irreconcilable
,
heterogeneous
,
antithetical
,
unalike
2 (adjective)
The accident was similar to one that happened in 1973.
Synonyms
like
She's a great friend; we are like sisters.
much the same as
comparable to
analogous to
close to
cut from the same cloth as
Usage note
As should not be used after similar - so Wilson held a similar position to Jones is correct, but not Wilson held a similar position as Jones; and The system is similar to the one in France is correct, but not The system is similar as in France.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of comparable
Definition
worthy of comparison
The scoring systems used in the two studies are not directly comparable.
Synonyms
similar,
related,
alike,
corresponding,
akin,
analogous,
of a piece,
cognate,
cut from the same cloth
in the sense of homogeneous
Definition
having parts or members which are all the same or which consist of only one substance
The unemployed are not a homogeneous group.
Synonyms
uniform,
similar,
consistent,
identical,
alike,
comparable,
akin,
analogous,
kindred,
unvarying,
cognate
in the sense of uniform
Definition
regular and even throughout
Chips should be cut into uniform size and thickness.