suchlike: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, somewhat old-fashioned or colloquial.
Quick answer
What does “suchlike” mean?
Used to refer to things or people of a similar kind already mentioned or implied.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Used to refer to things or people of a similar kind already mentioned or implied.
Often used informally to avoid repeating a list, functioning similarly to 'and so on' or 'et cetera', and can serve as a pronoun or determiner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More prevalent in British English; American English often prefers phrases like 'such as', 'like', or 'and so on'.
Connotations
Neutral but can sound slightly dated or informal in both varieties.
Frequency
Generally low frequency in both, with higher usage in British English based on corpus data.
Grammar
How to Use “suchlike” in a Sentence
Used postpositively after 'and' or 'or'Used prenominally as a determiner before nounsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suchlike” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Bring biscuits, crisps, and suchlike snacks for the meeting.
American English
- Pack tools, screws, and suchlike supplies for the job.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in formal documents; may appear in informal emails or discussions.
Academic
Occasional in humanities or informal writing, but avoided in scientific texts due to imprecision.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation to refer to similar items.
Technical
Generally not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “suchlike”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “suchlike”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suchlike”
- Using 'suchlike' as a verb (e.g., 'I suchlike that').
- Placing 'suchlike' at the start of a sentence without proper context, which is grammatically awkward.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally informal and somewhat old-fashioned, so it's rare in formal writing.
It is uncommon and usually not recommended; it is best used after 'and' or 'or' for natural flow.
'Such as' introduces specific examples, while 'suchlike' refers broadly to similar things already mentioned or implied.
It is less common in American English, where phrases like 'and so on' or 'etc.' are often preferred.
Used to refer to things or people of a similar kind already mentioned or implied.
Suchlike: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌtʃlaɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌtʃlaɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “and suchlike”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Combine 'such' and 'like' to remember it means 'things like such' or similar to those mentioned.
Conceptual Metaphor
CATEGORY IS CONTAINER – 'suchlike' groups similar items into a conceptual container.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of 'suchlike' in a sentence?