What does semblable mean?
Semblable means similar, alike, or comparable, especially in appearance, character, or nature. It is a formal word that survives mainly in literary, historical, and technical writing rather than everyday conversation. For example, two texts might be called closely semblable if they share comparable structures or ideas, while a person’s account could be described as semblable to another account in its tone or content. In some older uses, semblable also functioned as a noun meaning a likeness or something resembling another thing. The word has a somewhat old-fashioned tone, so similar or alike will usually sound more natural today. Even so, semblable can be useful in precise writing because it emphasizes comparability without necessarily suggesting exact identity. It should not be confused with resemble, which is normally a verb, or semblance, which can mean an outward appearance and may carry implications of mere appearance rather than genuine similarity.
Similar or comparable in nature, appearance, or character.
"The two designs are more semblable than their different labels suggest."
Formal, literary, and somewhat archaic; similar is the usual modern equivalent.
Something that resembles another thing; a likeness.
"The portrait preserves a semblance of the sitter's original expression."
Rare and literary. In some contexts, the word is closely related in meaning to semblance.
The plural is rare because the noun sense is uncommon.
"The critic treated the two figures as closest semblables."
Semblable is a literary word for similar, offering a more formal alternative to describing two things as alike.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does semblable come from?
The word comes through Middle French from Latin roots associated with likeness and appearance. English also developed the closely related words resemblance and semblance from the same general tradition, while resemble ultimately reflects Latin similis, meaning like or similar. The adjective now survives chiefly in formal and literary usage.
Related word forms
How semblable is actually used
This is a formal and increasingly uncommon word. It is chiefly found in literary, historical, or technical prose; modern speakers usually prefer similar, comparable, or alike.
Easily confused with semblable
Semblable is an adjective meaning similar or comparable, whereas resemble is a verb meaning to look or be like something else.
Semblable means similar or comparable, while semblance refers to an appearance or likeness, or occasionally to a resemblance.