“Take After” vs. “Look Like”: What’s the Difference?

Jun 5, 2023
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The difference between “take after” and “look like”

  • "Take after" focuses more on traits and personality, while "look like" focuses on physical appearance.
  • "Take after" implies a familial connection, while "look like" does not.
  • "Take after" suggests some influence on the development of the person, while "look like" does not.
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What is the definition of “take after” and “look like”?

Take after
  • To resemble or have similar characteristics to someone in one's family.
  • It often refers to traits such as appearance, behavior, or personality.
  • It implies the influence that the person had on the development of the individual.
Look like
  • To have a similar physical appearance to someone or something.
  • It refers mainly to physical features such as facial features, body build, or hair color.
  • It does not necessarily imply a familial bond or influence.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Look like” is the more popular variant on the web.
Take after
6,420,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Kate's musical talent clearly takes after her father's.
  2. He doesn't take after his brother in terms of academic ability.
  3. It's amazing how much their children take after both parents in terms of physical appearance.
More popular
Look like
712,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She looks like her mother when she smiles.
  2. That baby looks like a mini version of his father.
  3. You look like you've been working hard all day.
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