How to pronounce likeness
Say it like LYKE-nus. Likeness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYKE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce likeness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LYKE
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Likeness pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LYKESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of likeness
American and British speakers say likeness in essentially the same way: /ˈlaɪknəs/ in the US and /ˈlaɪknəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: LYKE-nus.
What does likeness mean?
- The state or quality of being like or alike.“I bear no likeness to my parents whatsoever.”
- Appearance or form; guise.“A foe in the likeness of a friend”
- That which closely resembles; a portrait.“How he looked, the likenesses of him which still remain enable us to imagine.”
Where does likeness come from?
Cognate with West Frisian likenis (“likeness”), Dutch gelijkenis (“similarity; likeness; parable”), German Low German Glieknis (“form; semblance; likeness; parable”), German Gleichnis (“form; semblance; image; likeness; parable; simile”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying likeness
How do you pronounce likeness?
Say LYKE-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪknəs/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪknəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in likeness?
Likeness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LYKE). Broken into parts: LYKE · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say likeness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlaɪknəs/ and the British form is /ˈlaɪknəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.