alike
alike
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "alike" is /əˈlaɪk/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
ə: This is the schwa sound, a very short, unstressed vowel, similar to the "a" in "about".
ˈlaɪ: This syllable contains a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds) where the 'l' sound is followed by the 'aɪ' diphthong, as in "eye" or "my". The 'ˈ' indicates that this syllable receives the primary stress.
k: This is the 'k' sound as in "cat".
Word Form Variations
"Alike" primarily functions as an adjective or an adverb. It doesn't have typical noun or verb forms. Therefore, it doesn't have singular/plural variations in the way a noun would.
Alike (adjective): Describes two or more things as being similar. It's usually used predicatively (after a linking verb), not attributively (before a noun). For example: "The twins are alike." (Not: "the alike twins"). There is no plural form of the adjective.
Alike (adverb): Means "in a similar way" or "similarly". For example: "They dressed alike." Again, no plural variation.
Likeness (noun): This is the related noun form, meaning similarity or resemblance. It does have a plural form: "likenesses." For example: "The siblings share many likenesses."
Like (verb, preposition, adjective, etc.): While related in meaning, "like" is a separate word with its own set of forms (likes, liked, liking). It's not a direct variation of "alike" but shares a semantic connection.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
"Alike" primarily functions as an adjective and an adverb. It doesn't typically function as a noun or verb.
Adjective:
Definition: Resembling each other; having similar qualities or characteristics.
Synonyms: similar, comparable, equivalent, analogous, corresponding, uniform, consistent, matching, kindred
Antonyms: different, dissimilar, unlike, distinct, contrasting, diverse, varied, divergent
Example: "The two paintings are remarkably alike in their use of color."
Adverb:
Definition: In a similar way or manner; similarly.
Synonyms: similarly, equally, correspondingly, uniformly, consistently, analogously, comparably, in the same way, likewise
Antonyms: differently, dissimilarly, unequally, distinctively, contrastingly, diversely, variably, divergently
Example: "The children dressed alike for the costume party."
Examples of Use
Adjective:
Literature: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina) - This famous opening line uses "alike" to establish a generalization.
News: "The two candidates are remarkably alike on most policy issues." (Hypothetical news headline) - Demonstrates its use in describing similarities in current events.
Science: "The twins, though raised apart, were strikingly alike in temperament." (Hypothetical research finding) - Shows its use in academic contexts.
Online Publication: "These two smartphones are so alike, it's hard to choose between them." (Hypothetical tech review) - Illustrates its use in product comparisons.
General Discourse: "They look so alike, people often mistake them for each other." (Common everyday conversation) - Shows its natural use in casual settings.
Adverb:
Literature: "They spoke alike, thought alike, and even dressed alike." (Hypothetical example inspired by similar sentences) - Shows its use to describe actions done similarly.
News: "The protesters chanted alike, their voices echoing through the streets." (Hypothetical news report) - Illustrates its use in describing collective actions.
Entertainment: "The dancers moved alike, creating a mesmerizing spectacle." (Hypothetical description of a performance) - Demonstrates its use in describing artistic expression.
Online Forum: "We think alike on most topics, that's why we get along so well." (Hypothetical online forum comment) - Shows its use in expressing shared perspectives.
General Discourse: "The siblings always dress alike; their mother buys them matching outfits." (Common everyday conversation) - Demonstrates its natural use in daily life.
10 Famous Quotes Using Alike
"All men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights… all are alike entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." — U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776)
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." — Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
"Great minds think alike." — Proverb (widely used since the 17th century)
"Men become alike by practicing virtue." — Aristotle
"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power… alike they come from the heart." — Washington Irving
"The more alike men are, the weaker each feels in the face of all." — Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
"Happy and unhappy men are alike; what distinguishes them is what they choose to do with it." — Søren Kierkegaard
"The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes; yet politicians all speak alike." — Benjamin Disraeli
"To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering; alike for all mankind." — Friedrich Nietzsche
"The rich and the poor are alike in this: the Lord is the Maker of them all." — Proverbs 22:2 (Bible)
Etymology
"Alike" comes from Old English gelīc, meaning "like" or "similar." Think of it as "a-like," where "a-" is a prefix that intensifies or emphasizes the meaning. It's related to the word "like" itself, which has a long history and connections to other Germanic languages.
The first recorded use of "alike" in written English was around the 13th century. Its initial meaning was very similar to what it is today: resembling each other, similar in some way. So, even from its earliest days, "alike" has been used to point out shared qualities between two or more things. It's essentially a way of saying "similar" with a bit more emphasis. There isn't a dramatic shift in meaning over time; it's pretty much held its original sense of resemblance.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Alike
Phrases using "alike":
Look alike: This is a very common phrase meaning to physically resemble each other. "The twins look alike."
Think alike: Means to have similar thoughts or opinions. "They think alike on most issues."
Act alike: To behave in a similar manner. "The children act alike when they're excited."
Dress alike: To wear similar clothing. "The band members dress alike on stage."
Alike in appearance/temperament/etc.: This structure is used to specify in what way things are similar. "They are alike in appearance but quite different in temperament."
Why "alike" isn't in many idioms:
As mentioned, idioms are usually more figurative. "Alike" is already quite literal. It's hard to twist its meaning into something metaphorical or symbolic, which is what idioms typically do. For example, "to kick the bucket" doesn't literally mean to kick a bucket; it's a metaphor for dying. "Alike" doesn't have that kind of metaphorical potential.
Idioms with similar meaning (using synonyms):
Since "alike" itself doesn't feature in many idioms, we can look at idioms that express the same idea of similarity:
Cut from the same cloth: Meaning to have similar qualities or characteristics. "They're cut from the same cloth – both ambitious and hard-working."
Birds of a feather flock together: Meaning people with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other.1
Of the same mind: Meaning to have the same opinion or viewpoint. "We are of the same mind on this matter."
Like two peas in a pod: Meaning very similar, often used for people who are close friends.
In the same boat: Meaning to be in the same difficult situation as others. While not strictly about resemblance, it implies a shared experience.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of alike from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
