What does resemble mean?
To resemble means to look or be like another person or thing. The comparison may concern visible features, such as a face or physique, but it can also refer to character, talents, behavior, or even ideas and arguments. The verb is transitive: it normally takes the person or thing being compared as its object, as in “She resembles her father.” It can also be used more broadly to describe a resemblance between things rather than a direct comparison between people, such as “The situation resembles an earlier crisis.” Resemble is similar in meaning to “look like” and “be like,” but often sounds more formal and descriptive. It also forms the noun “resemblance,” as in “a close resemblance,” which is commonly used in discussions of visual likeness and comparisons between people or things.
verbTo look or be like someone or something, especially in appearance, character, or qualities.
- To look like someone or something in appearance.
- To be similar to someone or something in character, qualities, or circumstances.
"The young singer bears a striking resemblance to her older sister."
"The two brothers resemble each other so closely that strangers often mistake them for twins."
"Her argument resembles that of earlier critics, although she reaches a different conclusion."
To resemble is also to suggest a connection: people can resemble one another in appearance, temperament, or fate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does resemble come from?
The word entered Middle English through Old French, where ressembler meant “to be like” or “to resemble.” Its roots are in Latin, combining elements associated with likeness and assembling or making similar. The English word is related in its underlying sense to words such as similar, similarity, and simile, all of which point to the Latin idea of likeness.
Related word forms
How resemble is actually used
The word is common in formal and informal writing. It is especially frequent when comparing appearance or personal qualities, but it can also describe similarities in style, argument, or circumstances.
Easily confused with resemble
To resemble means to look or be like something, whereas to assemble means to gather together.