likeness
/ˈlaɪknəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlaɪknəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlīk-nəs/ (ame, mw)
likeness — noun
- likenesssingular
- likenessesplural
1. the quality of looking enough like someone or something else that people notice
the quality of looking enough like someone or something else that people notice the match, especially in the face or shape
Christopher saw his father's likeness in the shape of his nose.
likeness in + feature
Haruto and his sister share a clear likeness around the eyes.
share a likeness
The toy dog's face has little likeness to the real puppy.
At dinner, the twins showed a family likeness in their smiles.
- resemblance
the closest everyday synonym; often slightly more common
- similarity
broader and not limited to appearance
- parallel
used more for comparable situations or developments than for faces
- difference
general opposite when two things are not alike
- contrast
stresses the visible difference between two things
文法句型
likeness to + noun
likeness between + noun + and + noun
family likeness
用法筆記
This sense is common in patterns such as likeness to, likeness between, and family likeness. It usually points to visible similarity rather than shared opinions or habits.
常見錯誤
2. a picture, carving, or other image that shows what a particular person looks lik
a picture, carving, or other image that shows what a particular person looks like
The coin carries the queen's likeness on the front side.
someone's likeness on + object
Diego printed his mother's likeness on the reunion poster.
someone's likeness
A carved likeness of the mayor stood above the town gate.
The old medal shows a faint likeness of the young prince.
- image
the broad everyday word for any visual representation
- portrait
usually suggests a more formal picture of a person
- representation
more formal and not limited to pictures of people
文法句型
someone's likeness
a likeness of + person
用法筆記
This sense often appears with a possessive noun or with of to name the person shown. Unlike sense 3, it does not have to suggest a highly faithful or artistic portrait.
常見錯誤
3. a portrait or similar picture that captures a person's appearance very closely
a portrait or similar picture that captures a person's appearance very closely
Trang painted a likeness of her aunt that everyone recognized at once.
paint a likeness of + person
On the gallery wall hung a likeness of the general in oil.
a likeness of + person
Hamza said the courtroom sketch was a poor likeness of his brother.
The sculptor captured Nora's likeness in clay before the wedding.
文法句型
paint a likeness of + person
a likeness of + person
capture someone's likeness
用法筆記
This sense is used when people judge how faithfully a portrait, sketch, or sculpture matches the person. Distinguish it from sense 2, which can refer more generally to any image of someone.