The only real similarity between the two is that both dominant and recessive traits are inherited by the offspring. This just means that a child will get dominant and recessive traits from each parent. You may only see the effects of the dominant traits, but that doesn't mean the recessive traits aren't there.
The trait that first appears or is visibly expressed in the organism is called the dominant trait. The trait that is present at the gene level but is masked and does not show itself in the organism is called the recessive trait.
