What does liken mean?
To liken means to compare one person or thing with another, usually in order to describe a shared quality or likeness. The verb commonly appears in the passive construction 'be likened to,' as in 'Her performance has been likened to that of a seasoned athlete.' It can suggest straightforward resemblance, but it can also imply that the comparison captures an essential feature, as when a difficult situation is likened to navigating a maze. Liken is transitive and generally takes 'to' before the person or thing being compared. In British and American English it is a formal or literary word found in journalism, criticism, and analytical prose, though its meaning is fully neutral. The related noun likeness denotes a similarity or the fact of being similar, while likely developed from the same older root but acquired a different grammatical role and meaning. Liken is especially useful when the writer wants a sustained comparison rather than a simple statement that two things are alike.
verbTo compare someone or something with someone or something else, especially in order to describe a resemblance or analogy.
- To compare one person or thing with another, especially in order to describe a resemblance or analogy.
"Commentators have likened the proposed building to a giant steel wave."
"Critics likened the new stadium to a vast spaceship."
"The coach likened the team's early difficulties to learning a new language."
Liken's hidden link to likely is a linguistic twist: both descend from an Old English word for 'alike,' yet one invites comparison while the other signals probability.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does liken come from?
Liken derives from Middle English liknen, from Old English gelīcian, a verb meaning 'to compare,' formed from gelīc, meaning 'alike' or 'similar.' The same root survives in words including alike, likely, likeness, and unlikely, although their meanings and grammatical functions have developed in different ways.
Related word forms
How liken is actually used
Formal and literary in tone, though semantically neutral; it often suggests that the comparison is revealing or particularly apt.
Easily confused with liken
Liken is a verb meaning 'to compare,' whereas likely is an adjective or adverb meaning 'probable.'