What does resembling mean?
“Resembling” means looking, sounding, or otherwise seeming like someone or something else. It is the present participle of the verb “resemble,” but it is often treated as an adjective when placed directly before a noun: “a face resembling a famous portrait.” The word is especially useful for descriptive writing because it makes similarity more precise and expressive than a simple comparison with “like.” It can refer to physical appearance, sound, character, texture, or overall impression: “a melody resembling a folk song,” or “a building resembling an ancient temple.” Although “resembling” can sound somewhat formal, it is common in ordinary English and is appropriate when clarity or emphasis matters. The related noun “resemblance” names the quality of being similar, while “similar” and “similarity” express the same general idea in related forms.
Having an appearance or qualities similar to those of something else.
"The painting depicts a landscape resembling the countryside around the town."
Commonly used before a noun or with “that,” “which,” or “who.”
The present participle of “resemble,” meaning to look or seem like someone or something else.
"He is resembling his father more and more as he grows older."
In most modern usage, “resembling” functions adjectivally before a noun rather than as a finite verb form.
“Resembling” turns the ordinary verb “resemble” into a vivid description of visual similarity: a landscape can resemble a painting, a voice can resemble another’s, or a person can resemble a long-lost relative.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does resembling come from?
“Resemble” comes through Old French from Latin “resemblare,” a word related to “similis,” meaning “like” or “similar.” The modern English form developed with the meaning of appearing or being like something. “Resemblance,” “similar,” and “similarity” belong to the same broad family of Latin roots, while “dissembling” shares the word’s final sound and spelling pattern but developed from a different verb.
Related word forms
How resembling is actually used
“Resembling” is widely used in descriptive and literary English. It can sound more formal than “like” in some contexts, but it is natural in both speech and writing.
Easily confused with resembling
“Resembling” describes something that looks or seems like something else, whereas “assembling” describes people or things being brought together.