B1adverb2K

Similarly

UK /["/ˈsɪmələli/"]/US /["/ˈsɪmələrli/"]/

Definition

in almost the same way

In simple words: In the same way or manner.

Examples

  • It is a little cheaper than other similarly sized cars.
  • He has a similarly impressive record in the sport.
  • Husband and wife were similarly successful in their chosen careers.
  • The different groups of women in the study responded similarly.
  • All sections of society were similarly affected by the war.
  • Phosphorus behaves similarly to nitrogen.
  • The United States won most of the track and field events. Similarly, in swimming, the top three places went to Americans.

Usage notes

Use 'similarly' to compare two ideas or situations. It is best used in analytical or formal writing. Avoid in casual conversation where simpler phrases like 'also' might fit better.

Grammar pattern

standalone adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'same' in 'similarly' — both start with an 's' for similarity.

Collocations

  • similarly structured
  • similarly situated
  • similarly motivated

Synonyms

  • likewise
  • also
  • in the same way
  • as well
  • correspondingly

Antonyms

  • differently
  • unlike

Common mistakes

  • 'Similarly' is sometimes incorrectly used to start a sentence without a clear comparison.
  • Learners may confuse 'similarly' with 'simile', confusing comparative language with figurative language.
  • Overusing 'similarly' in a paragraph can lead to redundancy.