ilarly

Similarly is a standard English adverb meaning “in a similar manner.” The string similarly ends with the sequence “-ilarly,” but the form that stands as a separate item in dictionaries is not usually the fragment “ilarly” by itself. In ordinary usage, “-ally” forms adverbs from adjectives (for example, similar becomes similarly), and “similarly” is the common word found in texts. The sequence “ilarly” therefore appears as part of the larger word rather than as an independent lexical item.

Etymology and formation: similarly derives from the adjective similar, with the adverbial suffix -ly attached. The root meaning traces to Latin similis (“like”). The whole word is used to indicate that what follows is to be understood in a way that mirrors what has already been stated.

Usage and meaning: similarly is used to draw a parallel between two or more ideas, actions, or cases. It signals a comparison or analogy, often linking sentences or clauses. It can appear at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle of a sentence, frequently followed by a comma when connecting to the preceding clause. Example: The participants improved under condition A; similarly, condition B yielded similar improvements.

Related terms and alternatives: commonly used synonyms include likewise, in the same way, and in a similar manner. The choice among them depends on tone and formality. While similarly is widely accepted in formal and academic writing, it should be used judiciously to avoid overuse and repetition.