beadlike

Beadlike is an adjective used to describe objects or structures that resemble a bead in form or arrangement. It typically refers to small, rounded shapes that are smooth and nearly spherical, either discrete or arranged in a line or cluster. The term can describe natural features such as beadlike seeds or beadlike mineral nodules, as well as manufactured items like beads on a string or beadlike surface textures on materials.

The word is formed from the noun bead and the suffix -like and has been part of English since at least the 15th century. It is widely used in science and descriptive writing to convey a generic resemblance to beads without prescribing exact geometry. In technical contexts, beadlike can indicate uniformity in size and spacing when beads occur in a series or array.

Usage guidance: Beadlike connotes general likeness rather than precise dimensions. When exact shape is important, bead-shaped or spherical may be preferred. Beadlike is commonly used in fields such as botany, geology, anatomy, and materials science, but can also appear in literary or artistic descriptions to evoke small, rounded units. Related terms include bead-shaped, globose, and spherical. See also entries on bead (the object itself) and on shape descriptors for comparative reference.