verb

like

lyk

verb

To enjoy something or find it agreeable; to be favorably disposed toward someone or something.

"I like the way she explains things."

"Do you like spicy food?"

To want or wish something (often "would like").

"I would like a coffee, please."

To click a "like" button to show approval of a social media post.

"She liked my photo within minutes of posting it."

prep

Similar to; in the manner of; resembling.

"He sings like his father used to."

"It tastes like cinnamon."

conj

As, or as if.

"She acted like nothing had happened."

adj

Similar; alike.

"They were dressed in like fashion."

particle

Informal filler word used for hesitation, emphasis, or an approximate quote ("She was like, 'no way'").

"It was, like, really cold out there."

noun

Something a person likes; a preference. Also, a vote of approval on a social media post.

"The post got thousands of likes overnight."

How to Use Like

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCovers two big ideas: (1) enjoying/wanting something, and (2) being similar to something.

When to use it

The filler use ("it was, like, amazing") is casual speech — avoid it in formal writing.

Common pairings

like it or not feel like would like to nothing like

Word Forms

more like comparative, more like comparative, liked past tense, liked past tense, like plural, liked plural, likes plural, likes plural, Likes plural, likes singular, like singular, liked singular, likest singular, likedst singular, liketh singular, likes singular, most like superlative, most like superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

I _____ the way she explains things.

Etymology

The verb comes from Old English līcian ("to please, be pleasing"), related to Old English/Germanic roots meaning "similar" — hence the overlap with the "similar to" senses.

Synonyms

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ilk be all go

Antonyms

antithesis opposite unlike

Related Words

begin ilk come go leave different stop class

Rhymes for like

Ike bike mike Nike dike hike pike alike spike strike unlike godlike

See all rhymes for like →

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ilk be all go antithesis opposite unlike begin come leave different stop class