lifelikeness
Definition
Lifelikeness (noun, uncountable): The quality or state of being lifelike; the degree to which something resembles or imitates a living being or real life in appearance, behavior, or effect.
Usage Examples
- (The figure closely resembled a living human in appearance.)
- (The graphics imitate real life convincingly.)
- (The statue looked very much like a living creature.)
Advanced Usage
"artificial lifelikeness": a quality in art or simulation where the imitation of life is so precise that it can be unsettling or deceptive.
- The robot’s artificial lifelikeness made some observers feel uneasy. (The robot’s resemblance to a living person was too perfect.)
"lifelikeness in portraiture": the realistic representation of a person in painting or photography.
- Rembrandt’s portraits are admired for their lifelikeness, capturing both physical features and personality. (The portraits look very true to life.)
Variants and Related Words
Lifelike (adjective): resembling real life; realistic.
- The lifelike doll had hair that looked and felt real. (The doll imitated a real baby.)
Lifeless (adjective): lacking life; not alive or not appearing alive.
- The statue appeared lifeless compared to the vibrant garden around it. (It did not resemble a living thing.)
Likeness (noun): a resemblance or similarity; a portrait or representation.
- The painting is a perfect likeness of the queen. (It looks exactly like her.)
Synonyms
- Realism: the quality of representing things as they are in real life.
- Verisimilitude: the appearance of being true or real.
- Authenticity: the quality of being genuine or true to life.
Related Idioms
"True to life": accurately representing reality.
- The movie’s special effects are so true to life that you forget it’s fiction. (They have high lifelikeness.)
"As real as can be": extremely lifelike.
- The virtual reality simulation is as real as can be, with perfect lifelikeness. (It is very convincing.)