[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/liken/)

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# liken

verb (liken, likens, likened, likening)

«liken» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To say that one thing is like another; to compare them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#m1)
2. Used with «to»: «liken A to B» means say A is similar to B. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#m2)

### In the lessons

In English lessons about figurative language, writers liken things to other things (similes and metaphors): a poet likens the moon to a silver coin. In history and science, people liken the heart to a pump or the brain to a computer. Phrases: liken something to something, often likened to.

### Examples

- The poet likens the sea to a hungry dog. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#x1)
- Scientists liken the heart to a pump. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#x2)
- Many people liken the city to a giant ant nest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#x3)
- He was often likened to his famous grandfather. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#x4)
- Our teacher likened the brain to a busy library. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#x5)
- The story likens growing up to climbing a mountain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#x6)
- I wouldn't liken a cat to a dog; they are so different. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: likened, likening. Always «liken X to Y», not «with». A bit formal; in speech say «compare to» or «say it's like». Do not confuse with «like» (enjoy) or «likely».

## In Jewish tradition

It means to compare one thing to another. Isaiah asks to whom people can compare God.

**Interpretation.** Isaiah's question is read as teaching that God is like nothing else and cannot be pictured, which is why idols are foolish.

### Examples

- To whom then will ye liken God? (Prophets ISA.40.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/liken/#x1)
- What shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? (Writings LAM.2.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/liken/#x2)
- To whom then will ye liken Me, that I should be equal? saith the Holy One. (Prophets ISA.40.25, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/liken/#x3)

### Note

Regular verb: likened, likening. Always «liken X to Y», not «with». A bit formal; in speech say «compare to» or «say it's like». Do not confuse with «like» (enjoy) or «likely».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «liken» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/liken/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«liken» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/liken.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «liken» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/liken/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«liken» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/liken.html) on Mova free.