What does likeness mean?
Word: Likeness
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Likeness means the fact of looking like someone or something else. It can also mean a painting, drawing or photo that shows a person as they really look.
How do you spell likeness?
Syllables: like - ness
Tricky part: The e at the end of like stays when the ending is added, so likness is wrong even though that e makes no sound.
Watch out for: likness, lykness
Memory tip: Like keeps its silent e when an ending that starts with a consonant follows, just as love does in lovely.
Likeness in a sentence
Example 1: The statue in the town square is a fine likeness of the poet.
Example 2: There is a clear family likeness between the three sisters.
Example 3: Meera's pencil sketch caught a good likeness of her pet cat.
Fun Fact
Wax museums such as Madame Tussauds are known for life-size likenesses of famous people, from film stars to sportspeople.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the suffix that completes the word:
like____
a) nes
b) niss
c) nass
d) ness
Show answer
d) ness. The same ending as kindness and darkness, with a double s.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
likeness
a) similarity
b) resemblance
c) difference
d) closeness
Show answer
c) difference. Three options mean that two things are alike; a difference is what sets them apart.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
sielksne
a) lioness
b) likewise
c) likeness
d) kindness
Show answer
c) likeness. Eight letters with two s's and a k, but no o, d or w: just one option fits.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) likeness
b) sculpture
c) silhoutte
d) portrait
Show answer
c) silhoutte. Silhouette has an e between the u and the double t.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A passport photo must be a good likeness. Why?
a) it has to be printed in colour
b) it should be taken outdoors
c) officials need to recognise the holder
d) it must show the holder smiling
Show answer
c) officials need to recognise the holder
2. Rahul noticed a likeness between two poems. What did he find?
a) they were written in two languages
b) they were alike in some ways
c) neither of them had a title
d) one was much longer than the other
Show answer
b) they were alike in some ways
