unix-like

adjective

Behaving similarly to Unix. Often used to describe systems which do not qualify for use of the Unix trademark.

“NetBSD provides its users with a free Unix-like system.”

Similar
UnixishUnixoidUnixy
OriginProto-Germanic *līką ← Proto-Indo-European *leyg- ← English Unix →
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Meanings

unix-like1

adjectiveunix-like (comparative more unix-like, superlative most unix-like)

comparative more unix-like · superlative most unix-like

  1. rarerare spelling of Unix-like

Unix-like2

adjectiveUnix-like (comparative more Unix-like, superlative most Unix-like)

comparative more Unix-like · superlative most Unix-like · alternative unix-like · alternative Unixlike

  1. computingBehaving similarly to Unix. Often used to describe systems which do not qualify for use of the Unix trademark.

    NetBSD provides its users with a free Unix-like system.

  2. computingHaving design principles consistent with those of Unix.

    This program is much more Unix-like: it operates on standard I/O instead of prompting the user for filenames.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
UnixishUnixoidUnixy
Broader
like
Also see
unixishunixoidunixy

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*mel-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*ml̥tós?
  3. Proto-Italic*moltos
  4. Latinmulti-
  5. Proto-Indo-European*pel-der.?
  6. Latinmultiplex
  7. Englishmultiplexed
  8. Proto-Indo-European*h₁én
  9. Proto-Italic*en
  10. Proto-Italic*en-
  11. Latinin-
  12. Ancient Greekμορφή (morphḗ)der.?
  13. Latinfōrma
  14. Latinfōrmō
  15. Latinīnfōrmō
  16. Late Latinīnfōrmātiō
  17. Middle Englishenformacioun
  18. Englishinformation
  19. Proto-Indo-European*ḱe?
  20. Proto-Indo-European*ḱóm
  21. Proto-Italic*kom
  22. Proto-Italic*kom-
  23. Latincon-
  24. Latinputus
  25. Latinputō
  26. Latincomputō
  27. Latincomputāre
  28. Frenchcomputer
  29. Englishcomputing
  30. Proto-Indo-European*ser-der.?
  31. Proto-Italic*serwos
  32. Latinservus
  33. Latinservitium
  34. Old Frenchservise
  35. Old Englishserfis
  36. Middle Englishservise
  37. Englishservice
  38. EnglishMultiplexed Information and Computing Service
  39. EnglishMultics
  40. Englisheunuchinflu.
  41. EnglishUnix
  42. Proto-Indo-European*leyg-
  43. Proto-Germanic*līką
  44. EnglishUnix-like

From Unix + -like.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

unix-like. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/unix-like

MLA

“unix-like.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/unix-like. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “unix-like,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/unix-like.

Source: unix-like on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.