/ laɪk; NAmE / preposition , verb , conjunction , noun , adjective , adverb
■ preposition
1.
similar to sb/sth :
She's wearing a dress like mine.
He's very like his father.
She looks nothing like (= not at all like) her mother.
That sounds like (= I think I can hear) him coming now.
2.
used to ask sb's opinion of sb/sth :
What's it like studying in Spain?
This new girlfriend of his—what's she like?
3.
used to show what is usual or typical for sb :
It's just like her to tell everyone about it.
4.
in the same way as sb/sth :
Students were angry at being treated like children.
He ran like the wind (= very fast) .
You do it like this.
I, like everyone else, had read these stories in the press.
Don't look at me like that.
( informal )
The candles are arranged like so (= in this way) .
5.
for example :
Anti-utopian novels like 'Animal Farm' and '1984'
➡ note at as
•
IDIOMS
- more like ...
- more like (it)
- what is sb like?
■ verb (not usually used in the progressive tenses)
1.
to find sb/sth pleasant, attractive or of a good enough standard; to enjoy sth :
[ vn ]
She's nice. I like her.
Do you like their new house?
Which tie do you like best?
How did you like Japan (= did you find it pleasant) ?
I don't like the way he's looking at me.
You've got to go to school, whether you like it or not.
[ v -ing ]
She's never liked swimming.
[ vn -ing ]
I didn't like him taking all the credit.
( formal )
I didn't like his taking all the credit.
[ v to inf ]
I like to see them enjoying themselves.
[ vn wh- ]
I like it when you do that.
➡ note at love
2.
[ no passive ] to prefer to do sth; to prefer sth to be made or to happen in a particular way :
[ v to inf ]
At weekends I like to sleep late.
[ vn - adj ]
I like my coffee strong.
3.
[ vn ] [ no passive ] to want :
Do what you like—I don't care.
You can dye your hair whatever colour you like.
4.
used in negative sentences to mean 'to be unwilling to do sth' : [ v to inf ]
I didn't like to disturb you.
[ v -ing ]
He doesn't like asking his parents for help.
5.
used with would or should as a polite way to say what you want or to ask what sb wants : [ vn ]
Would you like a drink?
[ v to inf ]
I'd like to think it over.
Would you like to come with us?
( formal )
We would like to apologize for the delay.
How can they afford it? That's what I'd like to know.
[ vn to inf ]
We'd like you to come and visit us.
[ v ] ( NAmE )
I'd like for us to work together.
➡ note at want
•
IDIOMS
- how would you like it?
- if you like
- I like that!
- I / I'd like to think
■ conjunction ( informal )
1.
in the same way as :
No one sings the blues like she did.
It didn't turn out like I intended.
Like I said (= as I said before) , you're always welcome to stay.
2.
as if :
She acts like she owns the place.
HELP NOTE : You will find more information about this use of like at the entries for the verbs act , behave , feel , look and sound and in the note at as .
■ noun
1.
likes [ pl. ] the things that you like :
We all have different likes and dislikes .
2.
[ sing. ] a person or thing that is similar to another :
jazz, rock and the like (= similar types of music)
a man whose like we shall not see again
You're not comparing like with like .
3.
the likes of sb/sth ( informal ) used to refer to sb/sth that is considered as a type, especially one that is considered as good as sb/sth else :
She didn't want to associate with the likes of me.
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] ( formal ) having similar qualities to another person or thing :
a chance to meet people of like mind (= with similar interests and opinions)
She responded in like manner.
■ adverb
1.
used in very informal speech, for example when you are thinking what to say next, explaining sth, or giving an example of sth :
It was, like, weird.
It was kind of scary, like.
It's really hard. Like I have no time for my own work.
2.
I'm, he's, she's, etc. ~ used in very informal speech, to mean 'I say', 'he / she says', etc. :
And then I'm like 'No Way!'
3.
used in informal speech instead of as to say that sth happens in the same way :
There was silence, but not like before.
➡ note at as
•
IDIOMS
- (as) like as not | like enough | most / very like
••
SYNONYMS
like
love ♦ be fond of ♦ be keen on ♦ adore
These words all mean to find sth pleasant, attractive or satisfactory, or to enjoy sth.
like
to find sth pleasant, attractive or satisfactory; to enjoy sth:
Do you like their new house?
•
I like to see them enjoying themselves.
love
to like or enjoy sth very much:
He loved the way she smiled.
be fond of sth
to like or enjoy sth, especially sth you have liked or enjoyed for a long time:
We were fond of the house and didn't want to leave.
be keen on sth
( BrE informal ) (often used in negative statements) to like or enjoy sth:
I'm not keen on spicy food.
•
She's not keen on being told what to do.
adore
( informal ) to like or enjoy sth very much:
She adores working with children.
love or adore?
Adore is more informal than love , and is used to express a stronger feeling.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to like / love / be fond of / be keen on / adore doing sth
to like / love to do sth
to like / love sth very much
I like / love / adore it here / there / when...
to like / love / adore the way sb does sth
to really like / love / adore sb/sth
to be really fond of / keen on sth
to quite / rather like sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 2 to 3 and preposition conjunction and adjective adverb Middle English : from Old Norse líkr ; related to alike .
verb and noun sense 1 Old English līcian be pleasing , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lijken .