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 painting’s gigantic walnut frame resembled a window set into a niche. —Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

The ensemble is paired with an ancient marble statuette resembling the same body type. —Jocelyn Noveck, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026

Oystershell scale refers to small insects, resembling their namesake in appearance, that take refuge on lilac bark. —Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

When all is said and done — and if approval is granted — Cox said the data center will resemble an office park more than anything else. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026

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

Rhymes for resemble

• semble
• tremble
• assemble
• dissemble
• disassemble
• reassemble

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