humanlike
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hjˈuːmənlˌaɪk/
US
- /hjˈuːmənlˌaɪk/
Description
- like a human
- resembling a person
- with human features
- acting like a person
Something described as "humanlike" has qualities that seem like those of a human being. This may be about appearance, movement, behavior, or even the way something seems to think or respond. It does not mean the thing is actually human; it means it resembles a person in some noticeable way. You might use the word for a realistic robot, a face in a painting, or even an animal showing behavior that feels very close to our own.
The word "humanlike" describes something that seems similar to a human being but is not actually human. The similarity can be physical, such as a face, body, or movement that looks very natural, or it can be behavioral, such as speech, emotion, or decision-making that feels familiar to us. The main idea is resemblance: something has human qualities, or seems to copy them, strongly enough for people to notice.
The word can be used in many settings. A sculpture, doll, or animated character may be called humanlike if it looks very much like a real person. A robot may be described this way if its face, voice, or gestures feel natural. People also use the word for animals when their actions seem close to human behavior, although this use can depend on personal interpretation and context.
Today, the word often appears in discussions of robots, virtual characters, and artificial intelligence. In those cases, it usually suggests that something is designed to look, speak, or act in ways that remind us of people. A chatbot with natural conversation, for example, might be described as humanlike in the way it responds, even though it is not a person.
The word also carries a clear contrast: something can seem human without truly being human. Because of that, "humanlike" is useful when you want to point out strong similarity while still keeping that difference in view. It often suggests realism, familiarity, or a close imitation of human qualities.
Examples
- 1
Robot appearance
The new robot has a humanlike face and voice.
- 2
Game animation
The game characters move in a more humanlike way now.
- 3
Animal behavior
Scientists were surprised by the octopus's humanlike curiosity.
- 4
Chatbot replies
The chatbot's replies felt almost humanlike at times.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- humanlikeadjective