like

I UK [laɪk] / US adjective, adverb, conjunction, preposition ***

Summary:

Like can be used in the following ways: - as a preposition (followed by a noun): He looks like his father. - as a conjunction (connecting two clauses): She looked like she was about to cry. - as an adverb: I said, like, you can't do this to me. - as an adjective, especially in the phrase "of like mind"

1) similar or in a similar way

a) similar to someone or something else, or in a similar way to someone or something else

It was a small animal like a rat.

I think she was like me, she didn't really want to get involved.

No one could play the trumpet like he did.

just like:

I went and bought myself a new pen just like yours.

That morning began just like any other.

very like:

Bruce is very like you in a lot of ways.

seem/look/sound/smell/taste/feel like:

Doesn't he look like Mark?

The cloth felt like silk against her skin.

like new:

Once it's washed and ironed it'll be like new.

anything like (= at all similar):

Was the office where you used to work anything like this one?

nothing like (= not at all similar):

I have to admit India was nothing like what I was expecting.

b) used for emphasizing a quality in the way that someone does something or in the way that something happens

The news spread like wildfire.

He smokes like a chimney.

She was crying like a baby.

c) in the same way as usual or as before

Why don't you play with the other children, like you used to?

I went to see my mother, like I always do on Tuesdays.

d) used when the same statement applies to each of two things

Other people's children, like other people's dogs, have never interested me.

2) used for giving examples used for introducing an example of something or someone that you have just mentioned

It eats small animals like birds and mice.

An intelligent woman like you shouldn't have been fooled so easily.

3) typical used for saying that a type of behaviour is typical of a particular person

it's just like someone:

He didn't show up again. That's just like him.

it's not like someone to do something:

It's not like him to lie.

4) spoken as if used when saying that something appears to be true but may not be

He sounded like he'd only just woken up.

Sam played with the children like he was one of them.

It looks like he has his hair trimmed about three times a week.

5) spoken used when you pause used when you pause while you are thinking what to say next, or because of a habit in the way that you speak

He hasn't phoned me in, like, three weeks.

6) spoken used for drawing attention to something used for drawing someone's attention to what you are going to say, either because it is new information or because it is important

They were, like, so rude!

7) spoken used in requests used when asking someone to do something that they might not want to do

I was wondering if I could, like, borrow the car this evening.

8) spoken used when reporting speech used when you are reporting what someone has said

And I'm like, give me a chance, Simon.

9) spoken used when giving information that is not exact used for showing that the information you are giving is not exact or that you are describing something in a way that makes it seem better, worse, larger etc than it really is

It was, like, the best meal I'd ever had.

•

(as) like as not — British

old-fashioned used for saying that something will probably happen or is probably true

You'll find him sitting at the table, doing the crossword like as not.

like crazy/mad — happening or doing something in a very extreme, noticeable, or fast way

His new book is selling like crazy.

Put him in the car and drive like mad to the hospital.

like I say/said — spoken used when you are saying something again that you have already said

It's unfortunate but, like I said, it's a decision we have to make.

like this/like so — spoken used when showing someone exactly how to do something

Enter your details here in this box, like so.

there's nothing/no place like something — used for emphasizing that a thing or a place is better than any other

There's nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer day.

If you want excitement, there's no place like Las Vegas.

what is someone like? — British

spoken used for emphasizing that you think someone's behaviour is surprising or silly

You forgot to turn the oven on? What are you like!

what is someone/something like? — used for asking about the qualities or features of a person or thing

I haven't met Alan – what's he like?

What was it like meeting Jill's parents for the first time?

She took Andrew with her to show him what the club was like.

- more like

- of like mind

- something like

- that's more like it

See:

anything

II UK [laɪk] / US verb [transitive, not usually progressive]
Word forms "like":
present tense I/you/we/they like he/she/it likes present participle liking past tense liked past participle liked
***

Other ways of saying like:

love to like something very much. Love is also used for saying that you really care about someone: I love Italian food. ♦ When did you realize you loved her? adore to like and admire someone. Adore is also used in an informal way for saying that you like something very much: I just adore their children. ♦ I simply adore smoked salmon. enjoy to like doing a particular activity: I enjoy going to the opera when I get the chance. have a liking for to like something specific such as an activity or a type of food or drink: I've developed a liking for red wine. be keen on to be enthusiastic about a particular person, thing, or activity: I was always pretty keen on sport at school. be fond of to like someone or something with a gentle, steady emotion that is not as strong as love: I've always been extremely fond of Mike, but I'd never marry him. prefer to like one thing more than another: I'd prefer a house with a bigger garden. be crazy/mad about (informal) to like someone or something so much that you spend all your time thinking about them: She's completely mad about basketball. have a weakness for to particularly like someone or something that you know is not good for you: He's got a weakness for anything with chocolate in it. have a soft spot for someone to particularly like someone, even if they do not deserve it: I've got a real soft spot for James, even if he is annoying sometimes.

1) to enjoy doing something, or to feel that someone or something is pleasant or attractive

Do you like my new hairstyle?

You never did like John, did you?

like doing something:

I like going out to parties with friends or watching TV.

I don't like talking about Eve behind her back.

like to do something:

He always liked to sleep late on Sundays.

like something best:

Which of her novels did you like best?

what I like about:

What I really like about her is her sense of humour.

like it when:

Jamie doesn't like it when you correct him.

2) to prefer to do something in a particular way, or to prefer to have something done in a particular way

How do you like your eggs?

like someone to do something:

She likes us to hand our work in on time.

like to do something:

I don't like to interrupt her when she's in a meeting.

3) to show that you agree with or enjoy something by clicking a button on a social networking website

If you haven't done so already, please take a moment to "Like" us on Facebook.

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how do you like...? — used for asking someone for their opinion or their reaction to something

How did you like Paris?

How do you like these shoes?

How did you like it when you lived in Leeds?

how would you like...? — spoken used for offering someone something that you think they will enjoy; spoken used for telling someone to consider how they would feel if something bad happened to them, especially if it has already happened to you

How would you like a glass of lemonade?

How would you like to take the afternoon off?

How would you like someone insulting you in public?

How would you like it if I stayed out all night without telling you where I was?

I'd like to think (that) — used for saying that you hope something is true although it may not be

I'd like to think he intends to pay the debt.

(whether you) like it or not — used for saying that you cannot change a situation even if it is unpleasant

Whether we like it or not, we are part of a global economy.

would you like...? — used for offering something to someone or inviting them to do something

Would you like some cake?

What would you like for your birthday?

would you like to do something?:

Would you like to go for a drink?

would you like someone/something to do something:

Would you like me to help you with your homework?

- I like that

- I'd like to see someone do something

- if you like

- would like

See:

how

III UK [laɪk] / US noun [countable] *

a small sign on a social networking website that shows someone agrees with or enjoys something

Show/hide comments and likes.

How many likes to you have on facebook?

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something's like/someone's like — used for emphasizing that someone or something is impressive or important

We shall never see his like again.

the like(s) of — informal used for referring to a particular type of person or thing

I doubt they'd give one of those jobs to the likes of us.

- and the like

- compare like with like

- someone's likes and dislikes