semelhante

Semelhante is a Portuguese adjective meaning similar or alike, used to express that two or more things share resemblance in appearance, nature, or quality. It can describe people, objects, ideas, or situations and is commonly followed by a preposition such as a or de, as in similar to or in a similar way.

Etymology and related forms: Semelhante derives from Latin similis, meaning similar. The noun semelhança expresses the quality of being similar, and the verb semelhar historically denotes to resemble. The word is cognate with the Spanish semejante, reflecting a shared Romance-language heritage. The adverbial form semelhantemente exists, though in everyday language speakers often use de modo semelhante or de maneira semelhante.

Morphology and syntax: As an adjective, seme lhante has the same form for masculine and feminine in the singular (um/uma semelhante) and takes a plural form semelhante for both genders (dois/duas semelhantes). It is typically used with nouns in a predicative sense ("As duas propostas são semelhantes") or in attributive position preceding the noun ("uma ideia semelhante"). When used with a specific comparison, it is common to say "semelhante a" followed by the benchmark (semelhante ao comportamento dele).

Usage notes: Semelhante conveys a sense of likeness without implying identity. It is weaker than “idêntico” and stronger than “parecido” in many contexts. In formal writing, semelhante is a neutral term suitable for descriptions, analyses, and comparisons.

See also: semelhança, semelhante (cognates in other Romance languages), análogo, parecido, similar. Examples illustrate its use in comparing features, outcomes, or manners.