dissimilar

/dɪˈsɪmɪlə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsɪmɪlər/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)di(s)-ˈsi-mə-lər -ˈsim-lər/ (ame, mw)

dissimilar — adjective

  • dissimilarpositive
  • more dissimilarcomparative
  • most dissimilarsuperlative

1. not like something or someone else in appearance, character, or quality; noticea

1.形容詞B2
釋義

not like something or someone else in appearance, character, or quality; noticeably different when compared.

例句

The twins' personalities are completely dissimilar even though they look alike.

collocation: completely dissimilar

Dr. Okafor's teaching style is dissimilar from the methods used by other instructors at the college.

pattern: dissimilar from + noun phrase

同義詞
  • different

    the most common and neutral word; used in all registers

  • unlike

    more concise, often placed directly before the noun compared ('unlike his brother')

  • contrasting

    emphasizes deliberate or striking differences when two things are set side by side

  • distinct

    focuses on separateness and individuality rather than direct comparison

反義詞
  • similar

    having qualities or features in common

  • alike

    sharing the same appearance, character, or nature

文法句型

dissimilar + to + noun phrase

dissimilar + from + noun phrase

not dissimilar + to/from + noun phrase

用法筆記

Typically followed by 'to' (especially in British English) or 'from' (especially in American English). The expression 'not dissimilar' is a form of litotes — a deliberate understatement that actually means 'fairly similar'.

常見錯誤

❌This system is dissimilar than the old one.
✅This system is dissimilar to the old one.
💡'dissimilar' takes 'to' or 'from', not 'than'.
❌These two proposals are dissimilar each other.
✅These two proposals are dissimilar to each other.
💡the preposition 'to' (or 'from') is required between the adjective and the object of comparison.