similarity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'similarity' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe how two or more things are alike. For example, "The similarity between the two paintings is striking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not to Ajith Cabraal, governor of Sri Lanka's Central Bank, who considers the similarity a coincidence: "Take ten people, won't you find some who are similar to each other?

The Economist

How much similarity it bears to the actual Tony Blair, I've no idea.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Years & Years are also not infrequently compared to Disclosure, and Alexander acknowledges the similarity, but thinks they're really closer to the Pet Shop Boys.

The Guardian - Music

I was struck by the similarity between my grandfather's embassy-influenced observations from Mexico 85 years ago and those in the secret state department cables about Haiti, spanning April 2003 to February 2010, that Haïti Liberté has begun to analyse, thanks to WikiLeaks.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the letter was picked up around the world, some Twitter users pointed out the letter's similarity to a research paper written by an American teacher and academic, Kimberley A Hurd.

The Guardian

(The only style similarity I've inherited from my mum is her love of huge sunglasses).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, the similarity between the effects of medical abortions and natural miscarriage has resulted in increased hostility from hospital staff towards all women treated for such complications.

The Guardian

It's a narrative that was enunciated by Apple's head of design Jonathan Ive, who when asked about the company last October was blunt: he "didn't see [the similarities in design] as flattery" and called the superficial similarity in appearance of Xiaomi's phones and software "theft" and "lazy".

The Guardian - Tech

"To which I say, 'I think the FBI had more to do with it than me.'" But the impression of a gladiatorial clash between two titans is unmistakable – as is the surprising degree of similarity between football's mortal enemies.

The Guardian

I really don't see any possible similarity between Rubens and Warhol.

The Guardian - Arts

"This feature takes into account a wide range of signals and context that frequently correlates with abuse including the age of the account itself, and the similarity of a Tweet to other content that our safety team has in the past independently determined to be abusive," says Shreyas Doshi, the company's head of product management.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "similarity", be specific about the aspects or features being compared to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "similarity" when the connection is tenuous or superficial; instead, opt for words like "association" or "connection" to accurately reflect the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The word "similarity" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a state or instance of being similar. It identifies a point of comparison between two or more entities, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "similarity" is a versatile noun used to express likeness or resemblance between different entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, from news reporting to formal business communication and scientific discussions. Understanding its nuances, such as its interchangeability with "resemblance" and "likeness", can enhance clarity in writing. Be mindful of overstating the connection when using "similarity", and always specify the aspects being compared to avoid ambiguity. As our analysis shows, "similarity" is a common term across authoritative sources like The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times, indicating its broad acceptance and relevance in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resemblance

Focuses more on the visual or apparent likeness.

likeness

Emphasizes a direct correspondence or close approximation.

correspondence

Highlights a parallel or analogous relationship.

analogy

Suggests a more complex comparison based on shared attributes.

commonality

Points to shared traits or characteristics.

affinity

Implies a natural connection or attraction based on shared qualities.

parallelism

Indicates a structural or functional likeness.

agreement

Suggests a harmony or alignment of features.

connection

Broadly indicates a link or association of some kind.

equivalence

Implies a state of being equal or virtually identical.

FAQs

How to use "similarity" in a sentence?

You can use "similarity" to describe the likeness between two or more things, such as "The "similarity" between the two designs is striking" or "There is a strong "similarity" in their approaches".

What can I say instead of "similarity"?

You can use alternatives like "resemblance", "likeness", or "correspondence" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "similarity" and "analogy"?

"Similarity" generally refers to a likeness or resemblance, while "analogy" implies a more complex comparison based on shared attributes or relationships.

Which is correct, "similarity between" or "similarity of"?

Both "similarity between" and "similarity of" are correct, but "similarity between" is generally used when comparing two or more distinct items, while "similarity of" often refers to qualities or characteristics.