Semblable

Semblable is an adjective meaning having a close resemblance or being alike. In contemporary English, it is relatively rare and is mainly found in literary, academic, or formal writing; in everyday use, similar or alike is more common. Semblable tends to emphasize outward likeness or resemblance rather than exact identity. It is commonly used with to or in, as in semblable to another or semblable in character.

Etymology and history: The word enters English through Old French semblable, which derives from Latin similis meaning like or similar. Its presence in English is largely confined to historical, philosophical, or stylistically elevated contexts, where a more formal tone is desired.

Usage and nuance: Semblable is typically used to draw a precise comparison, often highlighting perceptible similarity without asserting complete sameness. It can appear in discussions of art, literature, or ideas, where authors wish to note a likeness without claiming equivalence. In modern writing, the term is sometimes regarded as archaic or literary, and synonyms such as similar, alike, or comparable are preferred in ordinary prose. Related terms include semblance, a noun referring to an outward appearance or likeness, and similarity, which more plainly denotes the quality of being alike.

See also: Similar, alike, resemblance, semblance.