Cool MateLook like a kitty cat vs Resemble
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Look like a kitty cat
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Resemble
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Resemble
| Look like a kitty cat | Resemble | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lʊk laɪk ə ˈkɪti kæt//🇺🇸 //lʊk laɪk ə ˈkɪti kæt// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈzembl/","/rɪˈzemblz/","/rɪˈzembld/","/rɪˈzemblɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈzembl/","/rɪˈzemblz/","/rɪˈzembld/","/rɪˈzemblɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To seem similar to a small cat. | To look like someone or something. |
| Example | That puppy really looks like a kitty cat when it plays. | She closely resembles her sister. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | look like a kitten, look like a cat, looks like a pet | closely, greatly, strongly, be designed to, tend to, in, anything resembling something, something resembling something |
| Antonyms | - | differ, contrast, depart |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'look like' with 'look alike' (which means two people or things resemble each other)., Omitting the appropriate object after 'look like'., Using 'look like' with an adjective instead of a noun. | 'Resemble' is often confused with 'look like' despite being interchangeable in many contexts., Learners sometimes misuse 'resemble' with a preposition (e.g., 'resemble to'). It should be direct., Confusing the subject-verb agreement when using 'resemble' with plural nouns. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in informal contexts, often when comparing something with the appearance of a cat. | Use 'resemble' when discussing physical appearance or characteristics. It's typically neutral, but avoid it in very formal writing. In informal contexts, 'look like' is more common. |
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Frequently asked questions: Look like a kitty cat vs Resemble
What's the difference between Look like a kitty cat and Resemble?
Look like a kitty cat: To seem similar to a small cat. Resemble: To look like someone or something.
Which is more common: Look like a kitty cat and Resemble?
Resemble is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Look like a kitty cat: That puppy really looks like a kitty cat when it plays. Resemble: She closely resembles her sister.
Can I use Look like a kitty cat and Resemble interchangeably?
Not always. Look like a kitty cat and Resemble 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.