The difference between Similar and Unlike

When used as adjectives, similar means having traits or characteristics in common, whereas unlike means not like.


Similar is also noun with the meaning: that which is similar to, or resembles, something else, as in quality, form, etc.

Unlike is also preposition with the meaning: differently from.

Unlike is also verb with the meaning: to dislike.

check bellow for the other definitions of Similar and Unlike

  1. Similar as an adjective:

    Having traits or characteristics in common; alike, comparable.

  2. Similar as an adjective (mathematics):

    Of geometrical figures including triangles, squares, ellipses, arcs and more complex figures, having the same shape but possibly different size, rotational orientation, and position; in particular, having corresponding angles equal and corresponding line segments proportional; such that one can be had from the other using a sequence of rotations, translations and scalings.

  1. Similar as a noun:

    That which is similar to, or resembles, something else, as in quality, form, etc.

  2. Similar as a noun (homeopathy):

    A material that produces an effect that resembles the symptoms of a particular disease.

  1. Unlike as an adjective:

    Not like; dissimilar (to); having no resemblance.

    Examples:

    "The brothers are quite unlike each other."

  2. Unlike as an adjective:

    Unequal.

    Examples:

    "They contributed in unlike amounts."

  3. Unlike as an adjective (archaic):

    Not likely; improbable; unlikely.

  1. Unlike as a preposition:

    Differently from; not in a like or similar manner.

  2. Unlike as a preposition:

    In contrast with; as opposed to.

  3. Unlike as a preposition:

    Not typical of one's character or personality.

    Examples:

    "Being late is unlike him."

  1. Unlike as a verb:

    To dislike.

  2. Unlike as a verb (internet):

    To withdraw support for a particular thing, especially on social networking websites.

    Examples:

    "I unliked the post after I found out the author was racist."