Cool MateAlike vs Similar
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Alike
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Similar
Top 2,000 (common)A1adjective
| Alike | Similar | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈlaɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈlaɪk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪmələ(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪmələr/"]/ |
| Meaning | similar or the same as something else | Almost the same as something else. |
| Example | They tried to treat all their children alike. | These two paintings look very similar to each other. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adjective |
| Collocations | look alike, feel alike, sound alike, think alike | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, in, to |
| Antonyms | different, unlike | different, dissimilar |
| Common mistakes | 'Alike' used for more than two subjects (e.g., 'The three cars look alike' is correct, but 'The car and the bike are alike'.), Confusing 'alike' with 'like' in different sentence structures., 'Alike' often misused in the passive voice. | Confused with 'same' — 'similar' means not exactly the same., Incorrectly used for unrelated things., Using 'similar' with more than two items without clarification. |
| Usage notes | Use 'alike' to show similarity between two objects or subjects. Avoid in formal writing; 'similar' is preferred in those contexts. | Use 'similar' when comparing two or more things that share characteristics. Avoid using it for things that are not closely related. |
Frequently asked questions: Alike vs Similar
What's the difference between Alike and Similar?
Alike: similar or the same as something else Similar: Almost the same as something else.
Which is more advanced: Alike and Similar?
Alike is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Alike and Similar the same CEFR level?
Alike: C1, Similar: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Alike and Similar?
Alike: adverb, Similar: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Alike: They tried to treat all their children alike. Similar: These two paintings look very similar to each other.
Can I use Alike and Similar interchangeably?
Not always. Alike and Similar are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.