similar

Pluralsimilars

1. 1
   alikeadjective

   Having traits or qualities in common with something else; alike or comparable.

   The two proposals were similar enough that the committee merged them.

   Critics noted a similar tone across all of her novels.

   UsageUsually similar to (not incorrect: similar with): quite similar to my old one. Compare with more similar, most similar.

   Similarcomparable, alike, analogous, akin, like

   Oppositedifferent, unlike, distinct

2. 2
   something like itnouncountable

   Something that resembles another in quality, form, or other respects.

   For the hike, wear sturdy boots or similar, since the trail gets rocky and wet.

   The recipe calls for cheddar or similar, so use whatever hard cheese you have.

   UsageUsually after or at the end of a list, with no a: sturdy boots or similar.

   Similarequal, match, equivalent, peer

3. 3
   same shapeadjective

   Having the same shape, with corresponding angles equal and corresponding sides in proportion.

   If two triangles are similar, the ratios of their corresponding sides are equal.

   The architect drew a similar figure scaled to half the original size.

   Note

   A geometer's yes-or-no word: two figures either are similar or are not, unlike the everyday sense, which comes in degrees. One figure must become the other by a single uniform scaling, possibly combined with a rotation, reflection or shift, so every length changes by the same ratio. The shape must stay the same. A photograph and its enlargement are the familiar case.

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