Semblance vs Resemblance Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on semblance vs resemblance. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
Flip Cards: Quick Review
Hover over a card, or tap it on mobile, to see the meaning.
An outward appearance, often a thin or partial one.
“She kept a semblance of calm.”
A likeness between two or more things.
“The resemblance is striking.”
To look like or be similar to.
“She resembles her mother.”
Both end in -blance. There is no “e” before the “l.”
“semblance, resemblance”
Writers mix up semblance vs resemblance because the words look nearly identical and share the same ending. Add the very common misspellings “sembelence” and “resembelence,” and the confusion grows. The two words do different jobs, and once you see how, they are easy to keep apart.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semblance | An outward appearance of something, often partial or not fully real | Noun | “The town returned to a semblance of normal life.” |
| Resemblance | A likeness or similarity between things | Noun | “There is a clear resemblance between the two paintings.” |
| Resemble | To look like or be similar to | Verb | “He resembles his father.” |
What does semblance mean?
Semblance means the outward appearance of something, especially an appearance that may be thin, partial or not entirely real. It is a noun, and you will most often see it in the phrase “a semblance of.”
It tends to describe something that looks like the real thing without fully being it. “A semblance of order” means things look orderly on the surface. Semblance is pronounced SEM-bluhns.
What does resemblance mean?
Resemblance means the state of being alike. It is a noun used when two or more people or things look or seem similar.
It pairs naturally with “between,” “to” and “with,” as in “a resemblance between siblings” or “a resemblance to her grandmother.” The matching verb is “resemble,” and the noun is pronounced ri-ZEM-bluhns.
Semblance vs resemblance: how do they differ?
The difference is what you are describing. Resemblance compares two things that look alike, while semblance describes the surface look of one thing, often to suggest it is not the full reality.
Compare “There is a resemblance between the two cities” with “The city held on to a semblance of its old charm.” The first sentence needs two things to compare. The second talks about a partial appearance of one thing.
Some dictionaries also list “likeness” as a minor sense of semblance, but this use is uncommon today. If you mean similarity, resemblance is the clearer choice.
Are “sembelence” and “resembelence” real words?
No, neither “sembelence” nor “resembelence” is a word. They are misspellings of semblance and resemblance.
The usual error is adding an extra “e” before the “l,” perhaps because of how the words sound when spoken. The correct endings are both “-blance,” with no “e” between the “b” and the “l.” If your spell-checker flags either form, switch to semblance or resemblance.
How can you remember which one to use?
Ask whether you are comparing two things or describing a surface look. Two things being alike points to resemblance, and a mere appearance points to semblance. The memory tricks below make this stick.
Common mistakes
- ✗ The two cars have a strong semblance.
✓ The two cars have a strong resemblance. - ✗ She tried to keep a resemblance of order.
✓ She tried to keep a semblance of order. - ✗ He kept a sembelence of calm.
✓ He kept a semblance of calm. - ✗ The resembelence between them is clear.
✓ The resemblance between them is clear. - ✗ The painting resemblances its model.
✓ The painting resembles its model.
Memory tricks
- Resemblance contains “resemble.” If you can say two things resemble each other, you want resemblance.
- Semblance sounds like “seem.” A semblance is how something seems on the surface.
- Spell it “-blance.” Picture “b-l-a-n-c-e” with nothing between the “b” and the “l.”
FAQ
What is the difference between semblance and resemblance?
Resemblance means a likeness between things, while semblance means an outward appearance of something, often a partial one.
Is “sembelence” a word?
No. “Sembelence” is a misspelling of semblance, and “resembelence” is a misspelling of resemblance.
Does “a semblance of” mean something is fake?
Not always, but it usually suggests the appearance is partial or only on the surface, as in “a semblance of normal life.”
Can semblance mean resemblance?
Some dictionaries list likeness as a minor sense of semblance, but resemblance is the clearer and more common choice.
How do you pronounce semblance and resemblance?
Semblance is pronounced SEM-bluhns, and resemblance is pronounced ri-ZEM-bluhns.
Conclusion
The semblance vs resemblance difference comes down to likeness versus appearance. Use resemblance when two things are alike, use semblance for an outward look that may not run deep, and drop the extra “e” that shows up in “sembelence” and “resembelence.” Share this with someone who mixes these up.