What does unlikeness mean?
Unlikeness means the condition of being different from, or not resembling, something else. As a noun, it can refer to a general lack of similarity or to a specific quality that distinguishes one person, object, experience, or idea from another. The word is especially useful when the difference is not immediately obvious, as in discussions of contrasting characters, styles, perceptions, or environments. Unlike the more familiar adjective unlike, unlikeness focuses on the separation or dissimilarity itself rather than describing one of the compared things. It has a formal, literary tone and appears less often in casual speech than terms such as difference or dissimilarity. Nevertheless, it is valuable because it gives emphasis to the precise idea of how two things fail to correspond, while still allowing the degree and character of that failure to remain open.
nounThe state or quality of being unlike or dissimilar; a lack of likeness between two or more people, things, or ideas.
- The state or quality of being unlike or dissimilar.
"The unlikeness between their characters became clear as the friendship grew more strained."
"The subtle unlikeness in their voices suggested that the speakers were not telling the same story."
"Her painting explores the unlikeness between natural landscapes and the urban environments that replace them."
Rare; usually the singular form is used.
"The apparent unlikenesses between the two versions were more pronounced than the similarities."
Unlikeness is what remains when resemblance falls away, giving a name to the space between two seemingly similar things.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unlikeness come from?
Unlikeness is formed in English from the prefix un-, meaning not, the element like, meaning similar or resembling, and the suffix -ness, which forms a noun denoting a state or quality. Its structure is parallel to likeness, but the un- prefix reverses the meaning. Related forms include unlike and unlikely, while likeness belongs to the same underlying word family.
How unlikeness is actually used
Unlikeness is a relatively uncommon and somewhat formal or literary noun. It is more often encountered in discussion of art, character, experience, or abstract distinctions than in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with unlikeness
Unlike is commonly an adjective or preposition meaning different from, whereas unlikeness is a noun naming the quality or degree of dissimilarity.