look-alike: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “look-alike” mean?
A person or thing that closely resembles another in appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that closely resembles another in appearance.
In entertainment, a performer who imitates a celebrity; in security, a person used as a decoy; also used as an adjective to describe something that resembles something else.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties. The hyphenated form is standard, though the unhyphenated 'lookalike' is occasionally seen, more so in American English.
Connotations
Generally neutral, but can carry a slightly humorous or trivial connotation when referring to celebrity impersonators.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. Slightly more frequent in entertainment and media contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “look-alike” in a Sentence
look-alike of [someone/something]look-alike for [someone/something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “look-alike” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- They sell look-alike handbags on that market stall.
- He bought a look-alike jersey of his favourite team.
American English
- She purchased a look-alike designer purse online.
- The company produces look-alike smartphones at a lower cost.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe competitor products designed to mimic a market leader (e.g., 'look-alike packaging').
Academic
Rarely used; more formal terms like 'simulacrum' or 'facsimile' are preferred.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe people who resemble friends, family, or celebrities.
Technical
In biometrics or security, refers to a person used to test recognition systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “look-alike”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “look-alike”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “look-alike”
- Using 'look-alike' as a verb (e.g., 'He look-alikes his brother' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'look-alike' with 'alike' (which is an adverb/adjective meaning 'similar').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'look-alike' is a noun or an attributive adjective. The verb form would be 'to look like'.
'Look-alike' emphasizes the visual resemblance, often in a general sense. 'Double' can imply a closer, more exact match and is often used in film/entertainment for a stand-in.
The hyphenated form 'look-alike' is standard in dictionaries, but the closed form 'lookalike' is increasingly common, especially in informal digital writing.
Yes, it can refer to any object that closely resembles another, such as a 'look-alike product' designed to mimic a popular brand.
A person or thing that closely resembles another in appearance.
Look-alike is usually neutral to informal in register.
Look-alike: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlʊk ə ˌlaɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlʊk ə ˌlaɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a dead ringer (stronger synonym for look-alike)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Look alike = when you LOOK at them, they are ALIKE.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESEMBLANCE IS VISUAL DUPLICATION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'look-alike' LEAST likely to be used?