alike
gb/əlˈaɪk/ us/əlˈaɪk/
B1
English
~ 8800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
similar in appearance or character
Almost the same in how something or someone looks or is.
Usage pattern:
[things/people] be alike (in [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'alike' before a noun, e.g. *'an alike dress'*, which is incorrect. Use 'similar' before a noun ('a similar dress') and 'alike' after a verb: 'The dresses are alike.' Another mistake is confusing 'alike' with 'like' as a preposition; you say 'They are alike' but 'They look like each other.'
Synonyms
similar (The most direct synonym; can be used before a noun, while 'alike' usually cannot.)
|
the same (Stronger; suggests no important difference at all, while 'alike' allows for small differences.)
|
comparable (More formal and often used for things that can be fairly judged against each other, not just that look similar.)
Antonyms
different (General opposite; shows that things are not similar in an important way.)
|
unlike (Directly contrasts with 'alike' to say that things do not share important similarities.)
Collocations
look alike
|very alike
|remarkably alike
|strangely alike
|sound alike
|all alike
Themes
description
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The twins are so alike that even their parents sometimes mix them up.
- Our tastes in music are surprisingly alike, even though we grew up in different countries.
- The two proposals are alike in many ways, but they differ on cost.
- From a distance, all the houses looked alike.
- Their situations are alike: both lost their jobs and had to move back home.
Learner examples
- The two boys look alike.
- My sister and I are alike in many ways.
- All the bottles on the shelf are alike.
- These two jackets are alike, but this one is cheaper.
- Our ideas are alike, so we can work together.
adverb
B2
relation
2
in the same way or equally
In the same way for everyone or everything; equally.
Usage pattern:
[action] affect [groups/people/things] alike
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes put 'alike' in the wrong place, e.g. *'He alike treats his children.'* It normally goes after the verb phrase or at the end: 'He treats his children alike.' Another error is using 'alike' when simply 'both' or 'all' is needed: say 'Both brothers like music,' not *'Both brothers alike like music.'*
Synonyms
equally (Closest in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech than 'alike' in this adverb sense.)
|
uniformly (More formal and technical; often used in academic or scientific contexts.)
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similarly (Focuses on being done in a similar manner; 'alike' often stresses that no one is treated differently.)
Antonyms
differently (Opposite in manner; shows that people or things do not receive the same treatment.)
|
unequally (Direct opposite to the 'equally' aspect of 'alike'; often used about unfair treatment.)
Collocations
treat [people] alike
|affect [groups] alike
|apply alike
|punish alike
|influence alike
Themes
comparison
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new law will affect rich and poor alike.
- She treats all her students alike, with the same high expectations.
- The storm damaged houses and shops alike along the coast.
- These changes will benefit city and rural communities alike.
- The disease strikes men and women alike, regardless of age.
Learner examples
- The rule is for everyone alike.
- This problem hurts young and old alike.
- He is kind to children and adults alike.
- The tax increase will hit workers and companies alike.
- The new app is useful for students and teachers alike.
Grammar
Dictionary form
alike
IPA
GB/əlˈaɪk/
US/əlˈaɪk/
Syllables & stress
alike (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: alike
Word family
Expressions
great minds think alike
1/ɡɹˈeɪt mˈaɪndz θˈɪŋk əlˈaɪk/
idiom
clever people often share ideas
Said when two or more people have the same smart or funny idea, to suggest it is because they are all clever in a similar way.
Examples
- “I was just about to say that.” “Great minds think alike!”
- When we both suggested the same solution, our boss laughed and said, “Great minds think alike.”
- They arrived at the same design independently—great minds think alike, as they say.
look alike
1/lˈʊk əlˈaɪk/
fixed phrase
appear physically similar
To seem very similar in how someone or something looks.
Examples
- Those two actors look alike, so people often confuse them.
- The new logo and the old one look alike, but the colors have changed.
- You and your mother really look alike in that photo.