Stonelike

Stonelike is an adjective used to describe something that resembles stone in appearance, texture, or composition. It can apply to materials, surfaces, or forms that show stone-like qualities without being actual stone. Common senses include a hard, dense, or massive feel, as well as a visual similarity such as gray, granular, or uniform coloration and a dull to matte luster.

The term is formed from stone plus the suffix -like, and is usually written as stonelike or stone-like depending on the style guide in use.

In geology and mineralogy, stonelike describes rocks or minerals that present typical stone characteristics, such as a stonelike fracture or a uniform, non-metallic surface. In architecture and design, it is used for substitutes or finishes that imitate stone, including cultured stone, stone veneer, or ceramic tiles with a stone-like texture. In everyday language, stonelike can convey durability, resilience, or permanence, as when describing a sculpture intended to resemble carved stone or a surface treated to resemble stone.

Related terms include stone, stony, and lithic. While lithic is a more technical term in geology and archaeology, stonelike remains a general descriptor used across disciplines to indicate resemblance to stone rather than actual stone material.