resemblant

Resemblant is an adjective meaning resembling; bearing a likeness to someone or something. In modern English it is predominantly literary or archaic, with everyday usage preferring resembling or similar to. The term can describe appearances, features, or qualities that evoke another person or object, as in a portrait that is resemblant of its sitter or a voice resemblant of a famous actor.

Origin and formation: The word comes to English from Old French ressembler, itself from Latin similis meaning “like.” The English adjective resemblant uses the common -ant participial suffix, giving a sense of “in a state of resembling.” It has been attested since early modern English, but is now rarely used outside literary or historical contexts.

Usage notes: When writing in contemporary prose, it is generally better to use resembling or similar to. Resemblant can convey a formal, ceremonial, or nostalgic tone and is more likely to appear in poetry, historical descriptions, or stylistic narration. It is typically used with of to indicate what is being resembled, as in “resemblant of his father.”

Examples: The sculpture is resemblant of Greek statuary. Her smile was resemblant of her mother’s, suggesting family likeness across generations.

See also: resemble, resemblance, similar, likeness.