- 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 waya) similar to someone or something else, or in a similar way to someone or something elseIt was a small animal like a rat.
I think she was like me, she didn't really want to get involved.
just like:No one could play the trumpet like he did.
I went and bought myself a new pen just like yours.
very like:That morning began just like any other.
seem/look/sound/smell/taste/feel like:Bruce is very like you in a lot of ways.
Doesn't he look like Mark?
like new:The cloth felt like silk against her skin.
anything like (= at all similar):Once it's washed and ironed it'll be like new.
nothing like (= not at all similar):Was the office where you used to work anything like this one?
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 happensThe news spread like wildfire.
He smokes like a chimney.
She was crying like a baby.
c) in the same way as usual or as beforeWhy 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 thingsOther 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 mentionedIt 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 personit's just like someone:it's not like someone to do something:He didn't show up again. That's just like him.
It's not like him to lie.
4) spoken as if used when saying that something appears to be true but may not beHe 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 speakHe 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 importantThey were, like, so rude!
7) spoken used in requests used when asking someone to do something that they might not want to doI 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 saidAnd 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 isIt was, like, the best meal I'd ever had.
•old-fashioned used for saying that something will probably happen or is probably true(as) like as not
— British
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 wayHis 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 saidIt'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 somethingEnter 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 otherThere's nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer day.
If you want excitement, there's no place like Las Vegas.
spoken used for emphasizing that you think someone's behaviour is surprising or sillywhat is someone like?
— British
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 thingI 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.
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 attractiveDo you like my new hairstyle?
like doing something:You never did like John, did you?
I like going out to parties with friends or watching TV.
like to do something:I don't like talking about Eve behind her back.
like something best:He always liked to sleep late on Sundays.
what I like about:Which of her novels did you like best?
like it when:What I really like about her is her sense of humour.
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 waylike someone to do something:How do you like your eggs?
like to do something:She likes us to hand our work in on time.
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 websiteIf you haven't done so already, please take a moment to "Like" us on Facebook.
•how do you like...?
— used for asking someone for their opinion or their reaction to somethingHow 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 youHow 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 beI'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 unpleasantWhether 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 somethingWould you like some cake?
would you like to do something?:What would you like for your birthday?
would you like someone/something to do something:Would you like to go for a drink?
Would you like me to help you with your homework?
See:how
III UK [laɪk] / US noun [countable] *
a small sign on a social networking website that shows someone agrees with or enjoys somethingShow/hide comments and likes.
How many likes to you have on facebook?
•something's like/someone's like
— used for emphasizing that someone or something is impressive or importantWe shall never see his like again.
the like(s) of
— informal used for referring to a particular type of person or thingI doubt they'd give one of those jobs to the likes of us.
English dictionary. 2014.