Very similar

ALOTALIKE

Think of a casual phrase you might use when comparing two things that are nearly identical, often heard in everyday conversation. The answer sounds like it’s emphasizing just how close the resemblance is.

"Very similar" hints at a phrase meaning "a lot alike," which is exactly what the answer spells out when read as "A LOT A LIKE." The wordplay splits the answer into "a lot" and "a like," making it sound like a casual way to say two things are nearly identical. It’s a straightforward definition with a slight twist—turning a common expression into a single word for the grid.