resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling ri-ˈzem-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father

2

archaic : to represent as like

Examples of resemble in a Sentence

He strongly resembles his father in appearance and in temperament.

Terrier dogs closely resemble each other.

Recent Examples on the Web

The unusual features resemble the famed buttes and mesas of Monument Valley along the Arizona-Utah border. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

That skin has scales that aren’t spiky or dangerous in any way, but do resemble dragon skin; hence the name. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025

Many vaccines work by introducing a protein to the body that resembles part of a virus. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

Venus’ journey through Pisces adds a dreamy, whimsical vibration to relationship dynamics, more than often resulting in the desire for meaningful connections and love stories that resemble a fairytale romance. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resemblen, rasemblen "to be like, compare," borrowed from Anglo-French resembler, rasembler "to be like, appear to be, compare (to)" (also continental Old French), from re- re- + sembler "to look like, seem to be" — more at semblance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

resemble

verb

re·​sem·​ble ri-ˈzem-bəl 

resembled; resembling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to be like or similar to

he resembles his father