What does alikeness mean?
Alikeness is a noun denoting the state or quality of being alike — the mutual resemblance shared by two or more people, objects, or ideas. Where "similarity" can describe a partial match and "likeness" can refer to a portrait or general resemblance, "alikeness" points specifically to the condition of two things resembling each other. It appears most often in descriptive or analytical writing: discussing twins, comparing artworks, or noting correspondences between texts or phenomena. The word is comparatively rare and leans formal or literary; most everyday speakers reach for "likeness," "similarity," or simply "alike" instead. Its connotations are neutral, carrying no warmth or judgment beyond what the comparison itself implies. For writers, it offers a precise, slightly elevated way to name resemblance itself — turning an observation about two things into a single abstract quality that can be discussed, measured, or admired.
nounThe quality or state of being alike; resemblance or similarity between two or more things.
- The quality of being alike; mutual resemblance between two or more people or things.
"The alikeness of the twin sisters was so striking that even their teachers struggled to tell them apart."
"The alikeness of the two paintings suggested they came from the same workshop."
"Scientists studied the alikeness of identical twins raised in different countries."
Rarely used; the plural appears mainly in comparative or academic contexts discussing multiple instances of resemblance.
"The researcher catalogued the alikenesses among the various dialects."
While "alike" and "likeness" are household words, "alikeness" is their quiet hybrid — a noun formed by fusing the two, used when writers want to stress mutual resemblance rather than mere similarity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of alikeness
Alikeness derives from the adjective "alike," which comes from the Old English "gelīc" (meaning "similar"), built on the root "līc" meaning "body, form, or appearance." The suffix "-ness" was added to form an abstract noun expressing the quality of being alike, following a common English pattern for creating nouns from adjectives. It shares this Germanic root with related words such as "like," "likeness," and "likewise."
Related word forms
How alikeness is actually used
"Alikeness" is a relatively uncommon, somewhat formal word; in everyday speech "likeness" or "similarity" are more typical choices. It carries no strong connotation of its own and is often used when precision about mutual resemblance matters.
Easily confused with alikeness
"Likeness" is the broader, far more common term for similarity (and also means a portrait or representation), while "alikeness" specifically emphasizes that two things are alike to one another.