Similiar Vs Similar: What’s The Correct Word To Use?

What adjective do you use to describe items with common or comparable traits? Similiar or similar? If these two words confuse you, understanding the basics of similiar vs similar will let you know the correct word.

Similiar is a misspelling of the word “similar.” Therefore, this word has no definition. On the other hand, similar means “having traits/characteristics in common.” The noun refers to something that resembles/has the same specifications as something else. So, similar is a noun and an adjective.

Misspelling is a common issue in English. Therefore, even the most proficient English speakers are bound to make mistakes sometimes. This post explains the differences between similiar and similar, and any other relevant things you should know.

Definitions Of Similiar And Similar

The best way to confirm a word exists is by checking it in the dictionary. However, you also have to be keen on the dictionary you use. Since English is an ever-changing language, old dictionary versions may not have the necessary updates.

For instance, a decade ago, the word “selfie” did not exist in the English vocabulary. However, it is currently published in recent dictionary versions. Here’s the point: checking the latest dictionary versions is the key to finding reliable answers.

In this article, we simplify your work by checking the definitions of similiar and similar from reliable sources. Here are the definitions:

Definitions Of Similiar

It’s now clear that similiar is a misspelling of “similar.” Therefore, it does not appear in any dictionary, online or offline. For this reason, it is safe to say that this is not an accurate word and has no definition.

Definitions Of Similar

Similar means “having common, alike, or comparable traits or characteristics as something else.” For example, “The twins are more similar than their mother would love to admit.”

Another reliable source defines similar as “exactly corresponding, resembling, precisely alike, nearly corresponding, or having a general likeness to something else.” An example sentence is, “The teachers wore similar shoes while attending the rally.”

As a noun, the word “similar” means “a person or item with a general likeness to another.” Here is an example sentence: “Jimmy is one of those similar you will never meet.”

Another definition of “similar” as a noun is “a substance that produces effects like the symptoms of a specific illness.” For example, “The physicians developed their treatment principle using similars.”

In Mathematics, similar means “having the same shape but different sizes, position, and rotational orientation, like in geometrical figures, like triangles, ellipses, and other complex figures.” For example, “The similar geographical figures have equal corresponding angles.”

In Homeopathy, similar means “a material that produces an effect resembling the symptoms of a specific disease.” In a sentence, “The doctor used the similar to derive the possible symptoms of the medication before administering it to the patient.”

How To Properly Use Similiar And Similar In A Sentence

The next step after learning the definitions of new or confusing words is knowing how to apply them in sentences. The definitions will help you understand how to use the words regarding context. However, there are other factors you ought to consider beyond the definitions and contexts. This section explains the factors you ought to look into when using the words similiar and similar in sentences:

How To Use The Word Similiar

This is an incorrect and non-existent word. It would be best if you do not use it in sentences for any reason. Using it in a sentence, especially in formal writing, automatically makes your sentence incorrect. Additionally, incorrect spelling can influence the message you wish to communicate. So, before using any word, ensure that it is correctly spelled.

How To Use The Word Similar

This word is both an adjective and a noun. When using it as an adjective, kindly consider the following:

An adjective describes something or someone. So, the word “similar” describes something or someone’s characteristics or traits that are alike or comparable to another. Your sentence should portray a comparison. For example, “The students did a similar exam to this one last term.” In a nutshell, similar is a comparative adjective that compares two things or people.

You can add “not as” before the adjective “similar” to show that two items or people are different. For example, “The twins are not as similar in character traits as their siblings.”

You can add “more” before the adjective to denote that one thing is more alike to another than another thing. For example, “The brother is more similar to their mother than the sister.”

Adjectives do not have plural forms. So, never use this word’s plural form as an adjective in a sentence.

When using the word similar as a noun, consider the following:

The context should portray this word as a noun, not a noun modifier. For example, “The physicians used the similar to create a treatment model.” (Correct) “The physicians used a similar treatment model.” (Incorrect because it portrays the term similar as an adjective).

You can also use the plural form of similar (similars). For example, “The similars did not work as well for this model as the first one.”

Similiar Vs Similar: More On Differences

The core difference between the two words is the “I” before the “ar” at the end of the sentence in the incorrect spelling. Understanding the source of the misspelling may help you better understand these words’ differences.

The word similar has French roots. It is an English translation of the French word “similaire,” meaning “having traits in common.” The French word comes from the Medieval Latin “similis,” meaning “resembling, of the same kind, or like.” Other sources link this word to Old Latin “semol,” meaning “together.” The word-forming elements for “similar” are “simil” from “semol” and “-ar” from Latin “arem,” meaning “pertaining to.” That explains why the correct word is similar, and not similiar.

Another difference between these words is their pronunciation. The correct way to pronounce the word similar is “/sim-uh-ler/.” In contrast, according to its spelling, the proper way to pronounce the word similiar is “/sim-uh-li-yar/.” It is also worth noting that the correct spelling has three syllables while the latter has four.

List Of Examples Of Similiar And Similar Use In Sentences

According to research, the best way to master and memorize new words is by using them in sentences. So, now that you know the difference between similiar and similar, the next step is using the correctly spelled words in sentences. Here are a few sentences to get you started:

Example sentences of the word similiar

1. They wore similiar coats to the party. (INCORRECT)
2. The twins always wear similiar outfits when they attend social events. (INCORRECT)
3. Mum is not a fan of the similiar dishes prepared for the event. (INCORRECT)
4. Dave and Simon sent similar letters to the admissions board. (INCORRECT)
5. The teacher suspended the students when he realized their essays were too similiar. (INCORRECT)

Example sentences of the word similar

1. Ann and Anthony have similar walking styles.
2. Bella Hadid and Kendal Jenner’s runway collaboration was iconic because of their similar physical traits and styles.
3. The students turned in similar stories for the writing class.
4. The doctors used a similar principle to determine the best treatment model.
5. The teacher prepared similar tests for the tenth and eleventh graders.

Conclusion

The difference between similiar and similar is that the former is a misspelling of the latter. Simply put, the correct word to use in sentences is similar. There are few differences between these words because there is little to no information about the misspelled word. What has excited you most about these words?