Alikes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. Having similarities or shared characteristics, especially in comparison between two or more entities
  2. Denoting items or individuals that resemble each other in some aspects or traits
  3. Describing things that are comparable or alike in nature, appearance, or function

Etymology: The noun form derived from the adjective "alike" traces back to the Old English "gelīc," meaning "like" or "similar." The root is tied to "lic," meaning "body" or "form," which appears in various words related to appearance or likeness. Over time, "alike" itself emerged in Middle English as a word meaning "similar in kind or nature," combining the prefix "a-" (a variant of "on" or "in") with "like." The plural noun "alikes" is a relatively recent development in English. While "alike" was traditionally used as an adjective or adverb, the nominal form — referring to multiple entities that are similar or the concept of similarity itself — has gained some usage, especially in informal contexts. This nominalization follows a common English pattern of turning adjectives into countable nouns by adding an "s" to denote multiple instances or examples of what the adjective describes. This shift illustrates how English allows flexible word formation by reinterpreting adjectives as nouns to express groups or categories sharing a common characteristic. Though not as entrenched as other nouns for similarity (like "copies" or "duplicates"), the plural form highlights the capacity of "alike" to function beyond its original grammatical roles, emphasizing collections of similar things or people. Etymologically, the path from a simple descriptive adjective to a plural noun form underscores English's evolving morphology, where usage and context often drive changes more than formal rules. The base adjective itself, rooted in notions of physical or visual resemblance, now supports abstract and collective meanings through this nominal pluralization.

Synonyms: similar people, lookalikes, doppelgangers

Antonyms: differents, distinct ones