styled like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "styled like" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when comparing the design or appearance of one thing to another. An example is: "The dress is styled like a vintage 1950s outfit." Alternative expressions include "designed like," "fashioned like," and "modeled after."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had never seen hair styled like that before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This tailgate table is collapsible, has team logos, and styled like a football field.

Stanford University

"He looked a little bit like a rock star, long hair styled like Rod Stewart".

The New York Times

The hotel's Doug Fir Lounge is a hip nightspot styled like a space-age ski lodge.

Independent

A block north there's the Rusty Knot, a bar styled like a midcentury suburban basement.

The New York Times

The bed Dorms at the Train Hostel are styled like couchettes, complete with fold-down beds.

Independent

Exit via the lanes of Anafiotika, a jumble of houses styled like a Cycladic village.

The Guardian - Travel

Cee-Lo wore a wig styled like James Brown's early-1960s pompadour pompadour.

The New York Times - Arts

The car's signature piece is the instrument panel styled like a Breitling chronograph.

The New York Times

NFL players are styled like gladiators, promoted as warriors going into battle.

The Guardian - Sport

The handwriting was styled like old Gothic print, the kind you'd find on a Halloween greeting card.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "styled like" to clearly indicate a resemblance in design or appearance between two distinct things. This helps readers quickly grasp the intended comparison and visual imagery.

Common error

While "styled like" is useful, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms such as "reminiscent of" or "fashioned after" to keep your prose engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "styled like" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating that something shares visual or design characteristics with something else. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it modifies nouns to provide a clearer picture of their appearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "styled like" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that resembles something else in appearance or design. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it's frequently used in news and media to provide quick and understandable visual comparisons. While versatile, you might consider using more precise alternatives in formal writing for enhanced clarity. The phrase is widely understood and effectively communicates a visual similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designed in the style of

Focuses on the design aspect, emphasizing that something was created with a particular style in mind.

fashioned after

Highlights the act of creating something based on a pre-existing model or inspiration.

patterned after

Emphasizes that something follows a specific pattern or template.

modeled on

Highlights the use of something as a model or example to be followed.

reminiscent of

Suggests that something evokes memories or associations with something else due to similarities in style.

in the manner of

Indicates that something is done or made in a way that imitates a particular person, style, or period.

in the image of

Suggests a strong resemblance, implying that something is made to resemble something else very closely.

taking cues from

Indicates that something is inspired by and incorporates elements from another source.

after the fashion of

A more formal way of saying that something is styled according to a particular trend or tradition.

bearing the hallmarks of

Emphasizes the presence of distinctive characteristics or features that are typical of a particular style or origin.

FAQs

How can I use "styled like" in a sentence?

You can use "styled like" to compare the appearance or design of one thing to another, for example, "The restaurant is styled like a 1950s diner" or "Her hair was styled like a classic Hollywood star".

What are some alternatives to "styled like"?

Alternatives include "fashioned after", "designed in the style of", or "modeled on". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "styled like" and "designed like"?

While similar, "styled like" typically refers more to the aesthetic appearance, whereas "designed like" can encompass both appearance and functionality. For example, a building might be "styled like" a castle but "designed like" a modern office space.

When is it appropriate to use "styled like" in formal writing?

"Styled like" is generally acceptable in formal writing, especially when describing aesthetic qualities. However, consider more precise or sophisticated language, such as "reminiscent of" or "in the manner of", for added clarity or formality.