C1adverb2K

Alike

UK /["/əˈlaɪk/"]/US /["/əˈlaɪk/"]/

Definition

in a very similar way

In simple words: similar or the same as something else

Examples

  • They tried to treat all their children alike.
  • Good management benefits employers and employees alike.

Usage notes

Use 'alike' to show similarity between two objects or subjects. Avoid in formal writing; 'similar' is preferred in those contexts.

Grammar pattern

alike + subject

Memory hint

Think of 'a-like' — imagine two things that look a lot like each other.

Collocations

  • look alike
  • feel alike
  • sound alike
  • think alike

Synonyms

  • similar
  • comparable
  • resemble
  • identical

Antonyms

  • different
  • unlike

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.