dissimilarity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Academic
Quick answer
What does “dissimilarity” mean?
The quality or state of being different or unlike.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of being different or unlike; absence of similarity.
In technical contexts (e.g., mathematics, data science), a measurable degree of difference between two items, often quantified in cluster analysis or taxonomy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; minor potential spelling variations in related words (e.g., analyse/analyze) when used in technical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral and formal in both varieties; slightly more frequent in British academic writing, but not statistically significant.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in general discourse; more common in academic, scientific, and technical registers in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “dissimilarity” in a Sentence
dissimilarity between X and Ydissimilarity in/of (aspect)dissimilarity with regard toVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dissimilarity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The data can be analysed to see how the samples dissimilarise under pressure.
American English
- The algorithm will dissimilarize the two clusters for clearer comparison.
adverb
British English
- The twins dressed dissimilarly for the party.
American English
- The two proposals were structured quite dissimilarly.
adjective
British English
- The dissimilar features of the artefacts suggest different origins.
American English
- The dissimilar styles of the two artists are immediately apparent.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market analysis to discuss differences between products, consumer segments, or corporate cultures.
Academic
Common in sociology, biology, linguistics, and data science to describe differences between groups, species, languages, or data points.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might appear in discussions about comparing people, ideas, or objects.
Technical
Key term in clustering algorithms, taxonomy, and comparative studies, where 'dissimilarity matrix' is a standard concept.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dissimilarity”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dissimilarity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dissimilarity”
- Using 'dissimilarity' for concrete differences (prefer 'difference').
- Misspelling as 'dissimiliarity'.
- Using without a clear comparison (e.g., 'The dissimilarity was obvious' – unclear between what).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word most common in academic and technical writing.
It is possible but sounds quite formal; 'difference' is more natural in casual speech.
'Dissimilarity' is more abstract and formal, often implying a lack of shared qualities. 'Difference' is general and can refer to any distinction.
Not directly. The related adjective is 'dissimilar'. The verb 'dissimilarize' exists but is very rare and technical.
The quality or state of being different or unlike.
Dissimilarity is usually formal / academic in register.
Dissimilarity: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsɪmɪˈlarɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˌsɪməˈlærəti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Birds of a feather flock together, but the dissimilarity between them was striking.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS (not) + SIMILAR (alike) + ITY (state of) = the state of not being alike.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTANCE (e.g., 'The dissimilarity between the theories is vast.')
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'dissimilarity' correctly?