likeness
C1formal, literary, legal
Definition
Meaning
The state or quality of being similar to or resembling someone or something.
A picture, representation, or image, especially a portrait; also, an instance of imitation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun when referring to a specific representation (e.g., 'a likeness'), but can be uncountable when referring to the abstract quality (e.g., 'some likeness'). In legal contexts, 'likeness' refers to a person's image or representation, especially regarding rights of publicity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the term identically.
Connotations
Slightly formal/literary in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in legal/formal writing in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bear a (striking) likeness to NPbear (no) likeness to NPhave a (family) likeness with NPcapture NP's likenessin the likeness of NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the likeness of (someone/something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in IP law, e.g., 'unauthorized use of a celebrity's likeness'.
Academic
Used in art history, anthropology, and literary analysis to discuss representation.
Everyday
Used to comment on family resemblance or the accuracy of a portrait.
Technical
Used in computer graphics and AI for facial recognition and generation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is a strong family likeness between the sisters.
- He drew a likeness of his dog.
- The portrait is a good likeness of my grandfather.
- I can see the likeness between the twins.
- The statue bears an uncanny likeness to the ancient king.
- She sued the company for using her likeness without permission.
- Artists have striven for centuries to capture the exact likeness of their subjects.
- The novel's antagonist was created in the likeness of a historical dictator.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'like-ness' – the quality of being 'like' something else.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESEMBLANCE IS A COPY. (e.g., 'He made a statue in his own likeness').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'like' (нравиться).
- Не является прямым эквивалентом 'сходство' во всех контекстах; может означать конкретное 'изображение'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'likeness' as a synonym for 'like' (verb).
- Confusing 'likeness' with 'likelihood'.
- Using 'like' (preposition) where 'likeness' (noun) is required.
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, 'likeness' most specifically refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Likeness' often implies a visual or representational resemblance, especially to a person, and can mean a portrait. 'Similarity' is broader, applying to any shared qualities.
It can be both. It's countable when referring to a specific instance or picture (a likeness, two likenesses). It's uncountable when referring to the abstract quality (some likeness, much likeness).
No, 'likeness' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to liken' (to compare).
It means 'in the form or image of' someone or something, often used for statues, representations, or allegorical figures.
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