lookalike
C1informal, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A person or thing that looks very similar to another, especially a person who closely resembles a famous individual.
Something (a person, animal, object, or concept) that bears a striking visual resemblance to something else, often used in contexts of comparison, imitation, or accidental similarity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun, can be used attributively as a modifier (e.g., 'lookalike contest'). Implies a very close, sometimes uncanny, visual similarity. Does not imply intentional mimicry of behaviour or skill, only appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The compound spelling 'lookalike' is standard in both, though occasionally hyphenated as 'look-alike' in more formal AmE contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more playful/conversational in BrE. In AmE, frequently used in entertainment/celebrity news.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE due to broader media and celebrity culture coverage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
lookalike for/of [someone/something][someone]'s lookalikeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a dead ringer for... (stronger, more idiomatic synonym)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in marketing: 'We used a celebrity lookalike in the advert.'
Academic
Very rare, except in media/cultural studies discussing impersonation or identity.
Everyday
Common when discussing resemblances between people, especially to celebrities or family members.
Technical
Used in computer vision/facial recognition: 'The algorithm identified several lookalikes in the database.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A – not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She bought a lookalike handbag from the market. (attributive use)
American English
- The singer performed with a look-alike guitar. (attributive, often hyphenated)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My friend has a dog that is a lookalike of my dog.
- Many people say I am a lookalike of my mother when she was young.
- The company hired a Queen Elizabeth II lookalike for the historical documentary.
- Despite being a complete stranger, his uncanny lookalike status caused confusion at the celebrity gala.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LOOK + ALIKE = it looks alike. Simple compound word describing visual similarity.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISUAL SIMILARITY IS CLONING / DUPLICATION (e.g., 'She's your clone!').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'выглядеть похожим' (to look similar) – it's a noun. The closest noun is 'двойник' (double/doppelgänger).
- Не путать с 'like-looking', который является описанием, а не объектом.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb: *'He lookalikes his brother.' (Incorrect) vs. 'He is a lookalike of his brother.' (Correct)
- Confusing with 'alike', which is an adjective/adverb: *'They are lookalike.' (Incorrect) vs. 'They are alike.' or 'They are lookalikes.' (Correct).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'lookalike' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be used for objects, animals, or even places, though it is most common for people. E.g., 'This cheap perfume is a lookalike of the expensive brand.'
'Doppelgänger' (from German) often carries a more mysterious, supernatural, or fateful connotation. 'Lookalike' is more neutral and descriptive, focusing solely on visual similarity.
Modern dictionaries list it as one solid word ('lookalike'), especially in BrE. In AmE, the hyphenated form 'look-alike' is also accepted, particularly in formal writing.
No, 'lookalike' is not a standard verb. The verb phrase would be 'to look like' (e.g., He looks like his brother). 'Lookalike' is a noun.