Home UK English like

Main meanings of like in English

: like1like2

like1

Pronunciation /lʌɪk/

Translate like into Spanish

preposition

  • 1Having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to.

    ‘he used to have a car like mine’
    • ‘they were like brothers’
    • ‘she looked nothing like Audrey Hepburn’
    • ‘I also noticed he had a corduroy suit in his bag just like mine.’
    • ‘He is like a brother to me and has got me through a lot and has always been there.’
    • ‘The firework went off right above the car, it was like a bomb, and it frightened the life out of Declan.’
    • ‘It's not like a stolen car that can be resprayed and given a false number plate.’
    • ‘It will also be a tragedy for families like mine, who have seen miracles happen in this unit.’
    • ‘This guy is the closest thing she has to a dad and is like father and brother all rolled into one.’
    • ‘However, I would be very interested if any one has had an experience like mine.’
    • ‘It didn't sound like anything else that was around at the time.’
    • ‘What Friends character would you say you were most like?’
    • ‘When faced with two equally qualified candidates, employers tend to choose the one most like themselves in accent or background.’
    • ‘She gets more like him as she gets older, but thinks most people would liken her to her mother.’
    • ‘She looked nothing like her parents or her brother.’
    • ‘She wore a skirt like Kay's but it looked much better on her.’
    • ‘He appears, at first sight, to be very like his urbane television character, the radio psychiatrist Dr Frasier Crane.’
    • ‘Dressed in a smart brown suit and with her hair in a bun she looked for all the world like Miss Marple.’
    • ‘Claudia and Alex are totally different from me and at first I thought I was expected to be like them.’
    • ‘I'd asked for the sirloin to be well done, but didn't expect it to be like leather.’
    • ‘Just don't expect it to sound like his old indie rock group, or much else for that matter.’
    • ‘Is it like a chain letter where you all copy it and expect twenty others to do the same?’
    • ‘We were both going for shots and missing - it was like the Davis and Taylor final.’
    similar to, the same as, identical to
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1In the manner of; in the same way or to the same degree as.
      ‘he was screaming like a banshee’
      • ‘She seems to be the only one who manages to keep him from screaming like a baby.’
      • ‘If I ever see octopus again I will either collapse in a heap or scream like a maniac.’
      • ‘Paul was trampled on by the home team and screamed like a pig.’
      • ‘The air was cold and a stiff wind had blown up, howling down corridors like a banshee.’
      • ‘But just like a broken leg must be fixed by a doctor so, in most cases, must depression.’
      • ‘When they rang early on Sunday morning and broke the news to my Mum she howled like a banshee which woke me up.’
      • ‘He was screaming at me like a wild person.’
      • ‘And, like so many women after the war, she was desperately keen to start a family.’
      • ‘This is a man without a shred of integrity, a man who will change his colours like a chameleon to suit the situation.’
      • ‘This film about love and loss is so real in its emotion and so well acted that each and every time I watch it I cry like a baby.’
      • ‘I half expected her to drag me away, like Livi had done, but she stayed where she was.’
      • ‘She, like the rest of the family, had not expected Belinda to be away for so long.’
      • ‘I don't expect newsreaders to pronounce it like locals, but they should get it right.’
      • ‘He has been leading by example and running around in training like a lad in his early 20s.’
      • ‘With all his team-mates looking around like lost sheep, the captain decided to do his duty.’
      • ‘We lined up along the edge like baby ducks, tentatively dipping our feet over the edge.’
      • ‘We expect it to be there when we need it like any other emergency service.’
      in the same way as, in the manner of, in the same manner as, in the same way that, in a similar way to, after the fashion of, along the lines of, on the lines of, as, tantamount to
      View synonyms
    2. 1.2In a way appropriate to.
      ‘students were angry at being treated like children’
      • ‘Even France's old colony of Algeria treated him like a returning hero on his recent visit.’
      • ‘We don't want to keep moving around all the time, but we have no choice and we are sick of being treated like animals.’
      • ‘She is married and loves her husband but he treats her like a child because he is much older than she is.’
      • ‘The communication is good and he treats us like adults and so far we're seeing the fruits of that approach.’
      • ‘We feel annoyed about being treated like little boys by the planning officers.’
      • ‘Chickens, pigs and other animals raised on factory farms are treated like machines.’
      • ‘The owners and staff treated us like royalty and couldn't have been more helpful.’
      • ‘He is treating us like children who won't go on the school trip if we don't behave.’
      • ‘He should be treated like a national hero for what he has achieved in his sport.’
      • ‘It's all a con and it's about time I stopped allowing myself to be treated like a mug.’
      • ‘His stepfather treated him like a slave and in the end his mother asked him to leave home.’
      • ‘He treated her like a slave, leaving her to do all the work and never giving her money.’
      • ‘It was there he met and fell for Pauline, and he has been treated like a son by her family.’
      • ‘She treated us all like we were absolute stars, and expected great things of us all.’
      • ‘As a result Iain has just visited Barcelona to exhibit his art work where he was treated like a superstar.’
      • ‘He's the only person in this dump who doesn't treat me like a freak.’
      • ‘This guy had photographed everyone but he treated my mum like the star that I know she is.’
      • ‘One weekend we went to a game reserve where we were treated like royalty and had our own cook.’
      • ‘In general, the public will now expect them to instantly look, act and behave like princesses.’
      • ‘I'm sick of being treated like a child, but yet expected to behave like an adult.’
      characteristic of, typical of, in character with
      View synonyms
    3. 1.3Such as one might expect from; characteristic of.
      ‘just like you to put a damper on people's enjoyment’
      • ‘Where is my son? It's not like him to be late.’
      • ‘It's just like you to blame me for something I obviously didn't do!’
      • ‘It was so like James to use every opportunity possible to boost his own ego.’
      • ‘I mean, it's totally like a woman to say ‘If you loved me, you'd know how I'm feeling right now!’’
      characteristic of, typical of, in character with
      View synonyms
    4. 1.4Used in questions to ask about the characteristics or nature of someone or something.
      ‘what is it like to be a tuna fisherman?’
      • ‘what's she like?’
      • ‘As I sit looking at their photos, I cannot imagine what it must be like for their family.’
      • ‘Those of you who wonder what it must be like to live with a writer, wonder no more.’
      • ‘I cannot imagine what it must be like to see your best friend die in front of you.’
      • ‘I never really have comprehended what it must have been like living in Bristol in the war.’
      • ‘As a mother and grandmother myself, I cannot imagine what it must be like for them.’
      • ‘We knew what to expect, what the atmosphere would be like and the pressure we would face.’
      • ‘He managed to convey a more vivid sense of what life in the 1980s was like for aspiring artists.’
      • ‘What's it like to be nominated for an Academy Award?’
      • ‘Oh, what's he like? Is he cute?’
      • ‘I wondered what it was like to grow up as a beautiful person and to know it, from a very young age.’
      • ‘She was already peppering me with questions about him, what was he like, how tall was he, where was he from, and so on.’
      • ‘Those who are moving are told what the local schools are like and how they can access training and employment.’
      • ‘They asked me what it's like and how I feel and you just can't put it into words.’
      • ‘Many novelists and philosophers have considered what it would be like to be able to see into the future.’
      • ‘You were here when another bomb went off in Jakarta, what was that like for you?’
      • ‘Visit at least three of them to see what they are like and how much confidence you might place in their judgement.’
      • ‘This week the Times braved the wind, hail and rain to see what local opinion was like on the annual event.’

  • 2Used to draw attention to the nature of an action or event.

    ‘I apologize for coming over unannounced like this’
    • ‘why are you talking about me like that?’
    • ‘Why do we continue to treat teachers like this, when they have the most important job?’
    • ‘It seems you have been through a lot with this person but that does not mean it gives him the right to treat you like this.’
    • ‘The bill is the only thing I expect to ask for in a classy restaurant like this!’
    • ‘Some people cannot afford to lock money away like this and expect to otherwise stay out of debt.’
    • ‘In this day and age, it is totally unacceptable that fans behave like this.’
    • ‘When I am asked a question like this, I see and hear the answer, crystal clear in my head.’
    • ‘These days, it is questions like these that Chileans are having to ask themselves.’
    • ‘How dare you talk about my daughter like that!’
    • ‘I ran up the stairs at full speed and knocked on his door, remembering the last time that I'd come over unannounced like this.’
    • ‘The pensions issue is also a very important one and it shouldn't be treated like this.’

  • 3Such as; for example.

    ‘the cautionary vision of works like Animal Farm and 1984’
    • ‘How did it help you and your work, working with an established artist like Henry Moore?’
    • ‘On Sunday the church services will focus on the work of agencies like World Vision.’
    • ‘Players, particularly young ones like those at City, need to feel confident to perform.’
    • ‘This attitude extends to other things like the drinks licensing laws for example.’
    • ‘When a young player has high qualities some club like Rangers will want to buy him.’
    • ‘We just did not play well and you cannot afford to do that against a quality side like Australia.’
    • ‘Walking is something you can enjoy anywhere, even in a place designed for the car like Clifton Moor.’
    • ‘Any train travelling at a decent speed is going to derail when it hits something solid and immovable like a car.’
    • ‘I guess it's important that he is into the same stuff as me, like cars and that kind of thing.’
    • ‘He knows what cut and colour suit him best - like pink, because it flatters his skin tone.’
    • ‘None of the money was invested, instead it was spent on luxuries like fast cars.’
    • ‘We have lost industries like mining, hosiery and much skilled manufacturing.’
    • ‘There were daily reports of road rage, often involving weapons like car jacks or knives.’
    • ‘They also provide hire purchase finance for big things like cars and furniture.’
    • ‘It is time for some common sense, for in a rural area like Wiltshire the car is not going to go away.’
    • ‘Liquids like petrol must not be used to light the fire as they ignite too quickly and can cause serious burns.’
    • ‘Factors like birth rates and expected housing developments are being considered in the plan.’
    • ‘If people go there it's for a specific event like a conference or a concert.’
    • ‘Not for the first time, it has taken an event like Cannes to put British cinema back on the map.’
    • ‘Do you ignore symptoms like persistent coughs or indigestion in the hope that they'll go away?’
    such as, for example, for instance, in particular, as, namely, viz.
    View synonyms

conjunction

  • 1In the same way that; as.

    ‘people who change countries like they change clothes’
    • ‘I didn't like the idea of it, but the guy was just doing his job, like I was doing mine.’
    • ‘The French bounced back really well, like we expected them to as Six Nations champions.’
    • ‘When he came in from Saints last season he possibly expected people around him to think like he did.’
    • ‘If a side create ten chances in a game like we have been doing you expect to put a few away.’
    • ‘Because it is a more traditional style of dancing, we never expected it to take off like it has.’
    • ‘If they want to show their art they can do it on canvas and get it into galleries like real artists do.’
    • ‘The scene now means there isn't just one way of finding an artist like there used to be.’
    • ‘The expedition didn't exactly turn out like I had hoped.’
    • ‘Like I said, it's just an idea, but it might be worth thinking about.’
    • ‘We expected it to happen like it has for the last few weeks but we've got to be better than that.’

  • 2As though; as if.

    ‘I felt like I'd been kicked by a camel’
    • ‘Well, it's not like anything exciting is happening today, is it?’
    • ‘It's like all the bad qualities that some adults have are being copied by many kids.’
    • ‘At times I had to slow down because the car made it feel like you were going slower than you actually were.’
    • ‘Fourth, he must sound like he really means it, that he really believes in himself.’
    • ‘It was like he expected everyone to do it the Aussie way because their way is the only way.’
    • ‘He tasted one and looked disappointed, like he was expecting something more exciting.’
    • ‘It was like she almost expected him to do exactly what he was doing right now.’
    • ‘When I talk to her about it, she acts like she hasn't done anything wrong.’
    • ‘It's one little date, it's not like I'm going to marry the girl.’
    • ‘When I was diagnosed in December 2002, I couldn't believe it; somehow, it just seemed like it was happening to somebody else.’
    • ‘As the names came out of the draw, it seemed like a tie with Liverpool was on the cards.’
    • ‘Life for the couple sounds very much like it is drawn from the plot of a Ben Stiller movie.’
    • ‘It felt like people were expecting great things that we were not going to be able to produce.’
    • ‘Will felt like he was missing something but couldn't put his finger on what it was.’
    • ‘I had put off seeing these films for years and now I feel like I was missing nothing.’
    • ‘When I was playing through the summer it felt like there was something missing.’

noun

  • 1Used with reference to a person or thing of the same kind as another.

    ‘the quotations could be arranged to put like with like’
    • ‘I know him—him and his like’
    • ‘You probably know the fundamental law of all magnets: opposites attract and likes repel.’
    • ‘The problem with league tables is they never compare like with like.’
    • ‘How many wars does it take before he and his like learn that there are no winners in war, only losers?’
    • ‘Suddenly it seemed as though the whole world realized there had passed a man whose like it might never see again.’
    1. 1.1the likeA thing or things of the same kind (often used to express surprise or for emphasis)
      ‘did you ever hear the like?’
      • ‘a church interior the like of which he had never seen before’
      • ‘This is not just a movie, it is a cinematic experience the likes of which I have never seen before.’
      • ‘You are playing a new breed of football, the likes of which the country has never seen.’
      • ‘Hong Kong developers haven't seen the likes of this rental market since 1997.’
      • ‘Never before and never since has the world seen the likes of The Beatles.’
      • ‘This is a fascinating story - I've never heard the like.’
      • ‘The rain teemed down as the summer monsoon dragged on and the locals claimed they hadn't seen the like for years.’
      • ‘Another farmer, Mr Vernon Petts, also saw a very spectacular display in the sky, the like of which he had never seen before.’
      equal, match, equivalent, counterpart, opposite number, fellow, twin, mate, parallel, peer
      View synonyms

adjective

attributive

  • 1(of a person or thing) having similar qualities or characteristics to another person or thing.

    ‘I responded in like manner’
    • ‘the grouping of children of like ability together’
    • ‘The ICC statute itself suggests that the new court will not treat like cases in a like manner.’
    • ‘The artist beamed and continued in like manner giving me enough copy for a small report.’
    • ‘There were a number of matters of a like nature which went before the Federal Court.’
    • ‘‘Setting’, the grouping of children of like ability together to follow a particular study or to master a particular skill is little different from traditional streaming.’
    • ‘There is no exclusion of gross negligence, serious fault, or anything of a like nature.’
    similar, much the same, more or less the same, not unlike, comparable, corresponding, correspondent, resembling, alike, approximating, analogous, parallel, equivalent, cognate, related, of a kind, akin, kindred
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1predicative (of a portrait or other image) having a faithful resemblance to the original.
      ‘‘Who painted the dog's picture? It's very like.’’
      • ‘Who painted the dog's picture? It -- it's very like.’

adverb

  • 1informal Used in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker's uncertainty about an expression just used.

    • ‘there was this funny smell—sort of dusty like’
    • ‘I was, like, so hyped up I couldn't go to sleep’
    • ‘I just - you know, I just kind of like mind my own business.’
    • ‘Ben Kweller and his band certainly did that alright - they like totally rocked, man.’
    • ‘And then she said I was right! I was like so amazed!’
    • ‘In the next three one-dayers I didn't play and it was like really frustrating for me.’
    • ‘He's been acting all weird like.’

  • 2informal Used to convey a person's reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation)

    • ‘so she comes into the room and she's like ‘Where is everybody?’’
    • ‘She's got her Nativity play coming up, and she's like, ’Mummy, I'm going to sing on the stage like you.’’
    • ‘I'm trying to work, and this guy is looking over my shoulder and after a while I notice and I'm like, ‘What are you doing?’’
    • ‘So I decided to go swimming with Peter, and we did for a little bit. Then he's like, ‘Do you want to see my car?’’

  • 3like as/toarchaic In the manner of.

    • ‘like as a ship with dreadful storm long tossed’

Usage

In the sentence he's behaving like he owns the place, like is a conjunction meaning ‘as if’, a usage regarded as incorrect in standard English. Although like has been used as a conjunction in this way since the 15th century by many respected writers, it is still frowned upon and considered unacceptable in formal English, where as if should be used instead

Phrases

    like anything
    British informal

    • To a great degree.

      • ‘they would probably worry like anything’
      • ‘There's a green haze on the trees, and the snowdrops are blooming like anything.’
      • ‘On one side there is a tremendous financial crunch and on the other the ministers are spending money like anything.’
      • ‘We've got to fight like anything to recover the position that we had even in 1945.’
      • ‘When I came round I moaned; my head hurt like anything.’
      • ‘Once I get talking, I'll chatter away like anything.’
      • ‘Matthew grabbed the ball and ran like anything.’
      • ‘The bill was £220, but they complained like anything when we deducted it from their deposit.’
    and the like

    • And similar things; et cetera.

      ‘the preservation of endangered species in zoos, botanical gardens, and the like’
      • ‘I owe some of my initial successes to old friends at Oxford who put me in touch with publishers and the like.’
      • ‘I've spent the entire day sorting and washing baby clothes and the like.’
      • ‘The boot includes hooks for shopping bags and the like and the exterior is enhanced by alloy wheels.’
      • ‘We had no TV, no video games and the like, but we accepted life and got on with it.’
      • ‘Many passed up far better paid jobs to work for peanuts as MP's researchers and the like.’
      • ‘His siblings all went into law, medicine and the like, but he had a more artistic bent.’
      • ‘We need to look at how we can strengthen families, parenting skills, and the like.’
      • ‘Writers of fiction often use the same effect to present swift action, changes in thinking, and the like.’
      • ‘Eton food was all horribly unimaginative, stews and the like, and the only thing I enjoyed was fish.’
      • ‘The old kitchen garden was also replanted, with vines, apricots, peaches, and the like.’
    like enough
    archaic

    • Probably.

      ‘he'll have lost a deal of blood, I dare say, and like enough he's still losing it’
      • ‘The result of the enterprise would most like have a different outcome.’
    like as not

    • Probably.

      ‘she would be in bed by now, like as not’
      • ‘That'll keep me busy tomorrow and, like as not, the day after that, too.’
      • ‘I shall suffer some indigestion tomorrow like as not, and serve me right.’
      • ‘Art supplies are available on the Internet, of course, and cheaper, like as not.’
      • ‘The Electoral Commission, as like as not, will find some dreadful problem with all-postal voting in Yorkshire and the North-West.’
      • ‘The suggestion that birth and motherhood are almost as taboo as death in our society, would, as like as not, be met with guffaws of disbelief in mixed company.’
      • ‘Ask a young Indian these days how she or he is, and like as not the cheerful reply will be, ‘I'm doing good.’’
      • ‘I wasn't frightened by the encounter, and would like as not have forgotten it entirely if it hadn't been for the fuss made by my foolish pals and their equally foolish parents.’
      • ‘And if you tell them an article harks back to the 18th century, like as not they'll think this means 1800 on.’
      • ‘Lincoln cathedral is one of the most perfect Gothic cathedrals in Europe, dating back officially to the eleventh century and like as not a fair way before that.’
      • ‘If there were a ‘live and let live’ party they'd like as not get my vote.’
    like so
    informal

    • In this manner.

      • ‘the votive candles are arranged like so’
      • ‘First spread the cream, and then place the preserves on top like so.’
      • ‘Come here and turn around and put your arms up like so.’
    more like

    • 1informal Nearer to (a specified number or description) than one previously given.

      • ‘he believes the figure should be more like £10 million’
      • ‘A couple of fights will build my confidence up and the training will be more like five times a week.’
      • ‘This would not be a case of losing valuable seconds to get to the fire but more like quite a few minutes.’
      • ‘If you look at total jobs lost, it's more like 1.1 or 1.2 million.’
      • ‘The Toronto Star, the Globe, the Post, and even the CBC were saying 15,000 protestors, when the day-to-day estimates were more like 60,000 to 80,000.’
      1. 1.1more like itNearer to what is required or expected; more satisfactory.
        • ‘the sound of Mozart's Horn Concerto filled the car and he relaxed—that was more like it’
        • ‘French apple tart with cinnamon, that's more like it.’
        • ‘Meanwhile, next door - this is more like it - The Proclaimers are about to get down to some heavy-duty havering.’
        • ‘‘That was more like it,’ he said, after making birdies at each of his last two holes.’
        • ‘This is more like it, you think, but it doesn't last for long.’
        • ‘A potter through the lanes and a pub lunch is more like it.’
        • ‘The Chardonnay was a light and elegant, vaguely lemony wine, which was far more like it.’
        • ‘This was more like it - a workmanlike performance imbued with no shortage of skill and plenty of heart.’
    like —, like —

    • As — is, so is —

      ‘like father, like son’
      • ‘My research shows that it's pretty much a case of ‘like father, like son’ - kids learn how to deal with difficult situations from their parents.’
      • ‘I hadn't expected her daughter to be taught to follow in her footsteps. Then again, like mother like daughter, hmm?’
    the likes of
    informal

    • Someone or something regarded as a type.

      • ‘she didn't want to associate with the likes of me’
      • ‘This is where you are likely to find the likes of Mick Jagger, Elton John and other superstars.’
      • ‘The sound has been compared to the likes of Pavement, The Pixies and Talking Heads.’
      • ‘There was a certain romance in crime when we felt that the likes of Michael Corleone were behind it all.’
      • ‘One can only imagine how the likes of Amis or Rushdie would have taken this kind of condescension.’
      • ‘He plays on regular basis with the likes of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski and is touted as a star of the future.’
      • ‘In the past, the pair have worked with the likes of Suzie Quatro and Cliff Richard.’
      • ‘He finds that people assume the likes of Thompson, Fry and Laurie were part of his circle.’
      • ‘They put up strong resistance every game and have turned over the likes of Workington.’
      • ‘I'm not sure Ford has a plan to fight off the assault on its business from the likes of Toyota.’
      • ‘Dementieva beat the likes of Justine Henin-Hardenne and Lindsay Davenport en route to the final.’
    of like mind

    • (of a person) sharing the same opinions or tastes.

      ‘In most matters he and Black were of like mind, however.’
      • ‘We seem to be of like mind when it comes to football and football matters.’
      • ‘Both father and son share a passion for politics and strong beliefs in the importance of family values, although they have not always been of a like mind politically.’
      • ‘She said her career in real estate had enabled her to meet people of a like mind.’
      • ‘Lisa and I work well together because we are of like mind.’
      • ‘The Lewises set a great example for married couples because they are of like mind when it comes to investing and saving.’
      • ‘You pay heavily for the Mercedes mystique, but strong residual values prove that others are of like mind.’
      • ‘The scientists gathered others of like mind around them and new groups formed.’
      • ‘Although the submission came from the Marlborough District Council, a number of rural councils, all of a like mind, gave support to it.’
      • ‘A high percentage of the males in Britain were of a like mind on this one.’
    most like
    archaic

    • Probably.

    what are you like?
    British informal

    • Used as an expression of light-hearted incredulity at behaviour regarded as foolish or eccentric.

      • ‘What are you like? I don't believe you are doing this’

Origin

Middle English from Old Norse líkr; related to alike.

Main meanings of like in English

: like1like2

like2

Pronunciation /lʌɪk/

Translate like into Spanish

verb

[with object]

  • 1Find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory.

    ‘all his classmates liked him’
    • ‘people who don't like reading books’
    • ‘I like to be the centre of attention’
    • ‘He was one of those kids who was good looking, clever, good at sport and liked by everybody.’
    • ‘I'm liking Craig Ferguson more and more as time goes by.’
    • ‘One thing I particularly like about living here is that it's dead quiet at night.’
    • ‘I like big events and know how to prepare for and focus on big games and tournaments.’
    • ‘What Don likes best about Finley is his eagerness to learn.’
    • ‘Like many 11-year-old boys, Daniel likes riding his bike and hanging around with his mates.’
    • ‘Marvin likes steak but won't buy one at a restaurant when he can eat one for a fourth of the price at home.’
    • ‘And if they like my ideas better than hers, they should vote for me.’
    • ‘At the same time, he is reserved and doesn't always like to talk about himself.’
    • ‘His fans like to point out his immense natural talent and I agree, he is very talented.’
    • ‘For some reason, boys don't like being interviewed.’
    • ‘Little wonder that the fans don't like the sound of that.’
    • ‘Mr. Richardson said men don't like going to the doctor for a number of reasons.’
    • ‘I know I started playing guitar because I didn't like playing the piano.’
    • ‘She likes reading, writing, listening to music, and watching movies.’
    • ‘If you're not sure what music your daughter likes, consider giving her a store voucher, so she can make her own choice.’
    • ‘Like most children of elderly parents, Mike hadn't much liked the thought of finding a care home for his mum.’
    • ‘This recipe is guaranteed to please almost anyone who likes chocolate.’
    • ‘She is a friendly dog but unlike most very small dogs, she does not like to be picked up.’
    • ‘As a manager everyone likes him, respects him and wants him to stay.’
    • ‘Peter loved farming, and he liked nothing better than helping out his dad with the cattle.’
    be fond of, be attached to, have a soft spot for, have a fondness for, have a liking for, have regard for, think well of, look on with favour, hold in esteem, admire, respect, esteem
    enjoy, have a taste for, have a preference for, have a liking for, have a weakness for, be partial to, delight in, find pleasure in, take pleasure in, be keen on, find agreeable, derive pleasure from, be pleased by, have a penchant for, have a passion for, derive satisfaction from, find enjoyable, take to, appreciate
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1(in the context of social media) indicate one's approval of or support for (someone or something) by means of a particular icon or link.
      ‘more than 15,000 Facebook users had liked his page by Monday morning’
      • ‘You have to follow them or like them on Facebook to get an invite, which creates more buzz.’
      • ‘The trouble is that big brands pay people to create Facebook profiles to "like" their brand and share with their "friends".’
      • ‘I have a facebook page with 10,000 + followers and a recent post had 21 people liking it and 5 comments.’
      • ‘If your spouse is on facebook, do you have to "like" everything they say and do?’
      • ‘It is not yet clear how much the Internet and social media can help push people to move beyond just 'following' and 'liking' things.’
      • ‘Here, too, you can hit a button to 'like' a Facebook update, favorite it on Twitter, retweet a tweet or email an item to others.’
      • ‘If you'd like to find out about my next endeavors, please 'like' me on Facebook.’
      • ‘I just visited their site for the first time and "liked" it to get on their invitation list.’
      • ‘And I don't care if a million people "liked" your article, it was still wrong.’
      • ‘More than 1800 people "liked" the update before Facebook took down their CEO's page.’
      • ‘Once a nefarious website is "liked", an automated message is generated on the Facebook wall which states "I just got $500 by using this free tax preparation service."’
      • ‘In less than one week, almost 2,000 people have "Liked" the page, with feedback and comments pouring in from electronic music producers, fans and supporters.’
      • ‘In the four days, 68,000 people have engaged with that video: 55,000 have "liked" it, and another 13,000 or so have taken the time to post a comment a direct message to Roger.’
      • ‘I'd love to know how to reward folks for 'liking' my page with a coupon.’

  • 2Wish for; want.

    ‘would you like a cup of coffee?’
    • ‘I'd like to hire a car’
    • ‘I'd like you to stay’
    • ‘However, as I work flat out, it's difficult to find as much time as I'd like for this.’
    • ‘He was very special to me and I would like for everybody to know what a wonderful man he was.’
    • ‘I have nothing against Mick and would have liked him to stay on as manager until the end of the season.’
    • ‘About a month ago, he suddenly said No, he wasn't going to sell it, they could rent it if they liked.’
    • ‘It is only for one year initially, but I would like to stay longer as Ivana and I are enjoying it here.’
    • ‘They would like to rent for a short time as they have been to see various houses in the last few weeks.’
    • ‘‘What would you like for breakfast?’ Mrs. Roberts asked.’
    • ‘I never have time to read all the books I would like to.’
    • ‘Were there any areas of research that you had to leave out of the book that you'd have liked to have included?’
    • ‘The committee would like a little more help in their efforts to promote sport in the area.’
    • ‘He said he would like to go on to university and is considering a future career in accountancy.’
    • ‘The US does whatever it likes regardless of what has happened in the past.’
    • ‘Mr Dunne is entitled to say what he likes - as is each and every one of us.’
    • ‘They are asked to list, in order of preference, six schools they would like their son or daughter to go to.’
    • ‘If you don't mind, I'd really like to go home and think about all this for a while.’
    • ‘I'd like you to come and meet my parents.’
    • ‘Sit down, please; would you like a drink?’
    • ‘He would like to work for a club as a promoter and later start his own record label.’
    • ‘We now have a granddaughter and we and her parents would like to put some money away for her future.’
    • ‘Would you like a cup of tea while you wait?’
    1. 2.1would like to do somethingUsed as a polite formula.
      ‘we would like to apologize for the late running of this service’
      • ‘Inquiries are ongoing and police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen this man.’
      • ‘We would like to apologise to Mr Murphy for any distress that this failure has caused.’
      • ‘I would like to thank all of the fans for the support and understanding they have shown.’
      • ‘We would like to thank all the people who gave up their time to run the festival last Saturday.’
      • ‘It would like to hear from people who feel able to give emotional support to the bereaved.’
      • ‘The trust would like to say thank you to all the visitors who offered their support.’
      • ‘We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.’
      • ‘And I'd especially like to congratulate their managers, who had the foresight to let this happen.’
      • ‘We would also like to congratulate all the prize winners from the raffle.’
      • ‘I would like to urge your readers to consider what it is they want from their NHS dental service?’
      • ‘To avoid more slippage in regard to the time schedule, we would like to urge you to act accordingly.’
      • ‘Accordingly, we would still like to interview you with regard to Mr Miller's case.’
      • ‘In addition, we would like to correct the record with regard to several points.’
      • ‘Police would particularly like to speak to a jogger who helped the boy at the scene.’
      • ‘We would like to wish him all the best and hope that he finds success and happiness in his new post.’
      • ‘The club would like to wish Ben a speed recovery from his recent car crash.’
      • ‘This campaign is a good thing and I would like to wish the Bolton Evening News all the best.’
      • ‘I would like to wish each and every one of you the best of luck in your future pursuits.’
      • ‘This is a great achievement for these young players and we would like to wish them well.’
      • ‘The staff and committee would like to wish her all the best for the future in her new position.’
    2. 2.2not like doing/to do somethingFeel reluctant to do something.
      ‘I don't like leaving her on her own too long’
      • ‘Democratic politicians may not like to admit this; yet it is an obvious truth.’
      • ‘They may not like to acknowledge it, but they have reason to be grateful to winemakers in the new world.’
      • ‘While she does not like to discuss it, they do regard themselves as a couple.’
      • ‘The president said on Monday that he would not like to predict the outcome of the trial.’
      • ‘He would not like to see the running of the pool handed over to private operators as had happened in some places.’
      • ‘I would not like to think that my survival was dependent upon the hope of misfortune being visited on other farmers.’
      • ‘We do not like to admit that this can happen to the British squaddie.’
      • ‘His father did not like to flaunt his discoveries.’
      • ‘I do not like to knock the NHS because my mother worked long and hard as a nursing sister before retiring.’
      • ‘I would not like to think that the three years we have invested in one another will be for naught.’
      • ‘On one level he does not like to talk about those years, but on another, he cannot escape from doing just that.’
      • ‘Already he belongs, though he and his father may not like to admit it, to a particular class of people.’
      • ‘I would not like to think that he became a policeman to make money the easy and wrong way.’
      • ‘Waller does not like to speculate on where he sees himself in five years' time.’
      • ‘I would not like to say how much it will cost to sort it all out but we are all working hard to get everything back to normal.’
      • ‘He claimed to understand the offside rule, but admitted he would not like to explain it.’
      • ‘My mom was the kind of person who could always tell when something was wrong, but didn't like to intrude or ask a lot of questions.’
      • ‘I didn't like lying to him, but I was trying to protect him from the truth.’
      • ‘This is a hard letter for me to write, because I don't like asking for help.’
      • ‘Some of us older ones don't like asking for handouts from the Government even though we have put money into the system for years.’
      enjoy, have a taste for, have a preference for, have a liking for, have a weakness for, be partial to, delight in, find pleasure in, take pleasure in, be keen on, find agreeable, derive pleasure from, be pleased by, have a penchant for, have a passion for, derive satisfaction from, find enjoyable, take to, appreciate
      View synonyms
    3. 2.3Choose to have (something); prefer.
      ‘how do you like your coffee?’
      • ‘I knew that she didn't drink coffee and that she liked her tea strong and sweet.’
      • ‘Why do I care if my neighbour likes the guys instead of the girls?’
      • ‘The violent action thriller starred Richard Roundtree as the superfly sleuth who likes his women hot, his villains iced and his coffee black.’
      • ‘His coffee isn't the way he likes it since they've run out of half-and-half.’
      • ‘Dave is an outgoing guy who likes his beer dark, his coffee black, and his cigarettes often.’
      • ‘How do you like your eggs? Omelet, scrambled, sunny-side up - what?’
      • ‘I like my steak medium rare, but my burgers need to be cooked.’
      • ‘I'm probably here too much, I know all the waitresses' first names and love life problems, they know my first name and how I like my coffee.’
    4. 2.4in questions Feel about or regard (something)
      ‘how would you like it if it happened to you?’
      • ‘Now just think about that, how would you like it if your daughter went out with someone you went to high school with?’
      • ‘How would he like 140 lorries a day passing his house for at least five years?’
      • ‘Neil, how would you like to come see a movie with me tomorrow?’
      feel about, regard, think about, consider
      View synonyms

noun

likes

  • 1The things one likes or prefers.

    ‘a wide variety of likes, dislikes, tastes, and income levels’
    • ‘Explain anything the babysitter needs to know about your child, such as bedtime or feeding routines, ways to comfort and likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘Before getting married, we didn't know each other's likes and dislikes, each other's desires to have or not have children, and each other's desires as to state of residency.’
    • ‘Joanne, a dementia nurse, noticed that the most anxious and volatile of her charges became calm and happy when their individual likes and dislikes were noticed and respected.’
    • ‘Leigh Fermor had very distinct likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘Children's likes and dislikes are a fickle business.’
    • ‘The members of the Magistracy reflect our society with their likes, dislikes and general human frailties.’
    • ‘I benefited because my husband always came first with me and because my mother-in-law became a good friend in letting me know her son's likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘She had ordinary human likes and dislikes and prejudices.’
    • ‘The newspaper tries to cater to their likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘It is important to listen to our customers to discover their likes and dislikes and then take the necessary steps to deliver on their preferences.’
    • ‘I believe our likes and dislikes are imprinted in our minds from childhood, probably through our formative experience with our parents.’
    • ‘We all have our likes and dislikes as to what we consider attractive, beautiful, sexy, ugly etc.’
    • ‘These likes and dislikes become the building blocks of some of our most important relationships.’
    • ‘Karadjov has never imposed his musical likes or dislikes on his children.’
    • ‘While you can address each other's irritating habits, you can't change each other's likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘He did confirm that they create a personal profile of all their guests before they arrive, detailing their likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘As my family and Amy will be happy to point out, not only do I enjoy my food, but I have particularly strong likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘She knew all her clients dietary likes and dislikes and each meal was cooked specially for their tastes.’
    • ‘Hence the importance of childhood, the trial period when we discover our personal likes and dislikes.’
    • ‘As fate would have it, they keep running into each other at various places, also finding out that some of their interests and likes are similar.’
    1. 1.1(in the context of social media) an indication of approval of or support for someone or something, expressed by means of a particular icon or link.
      ‘pages that rank well are likely to receive high numbers of likes because they are highly visible in the search engines’
      • ‘I posted a link to an article about this issue on the company's facebook page, it got a few likes, then they removed it about 10 minutes after I posted it and replaced it with their press release.’
      • ‘Within twelve minutes, it had accumulated sixty 'likes' (users who show approval by clicking on a heart).’
      • ‘Now, there's a "Let James Go to Prom" page on Facebook that has tens of thousands of likes already this morning.’
      • ‘Some spammers have lit up some temporary holes into getting 10's to 100's of thousands of likes / mentions / shares quite quickly.’
      • ‘It kind of takes the spirit away from Facebook that you can post anything you want and there's transparency in the number of likes for a certain question.’
      • ‘The 76th most powerful woman in the world has a huge following on Facebook, with 630,000 "likes" on her official page.’
      • ‘He has 530,000 "likes".’
      • ‘Facebook "likes" and Twitter followers are important numbers.’
      • ‘Since its removal, several other pages with the same name have been created, each attracting only a few hundred "likes" apiece.’
      • ‘The Facebook page had attracted more than 22,000 "likes" by Tuesday.’
      • ‘Only status updates with 5 or more "likes" and comments show up in the Top News section.’
      • ‘How many times do you log into Facebook and see people posting about being tired of the cold weather, and that comment has a dozen "Likes".’
      • ‘The "News Feed" will present information deemed most relevant to members of your network because of the number of comments and "likes" made about it.’
      • ‘In less than 24 hours, the page attracted a slew of comments, promotional posters, videos and more than 12,000 "likes" from online activists.’
      • ‘In its first year, the campaign garnered more than eighty million votes, got three and a half million likes on the company's Facebook page, and drew some sixty thousand Twitter followers.’

Phrases

    I like that!

    • Used as an exclamation expressing affront.

      ‘Well I like that, gang up on me why don't you?’
      • ‘‘I like that,’ she said indignantly. ‘How utterly selfish of him.’’
    if you like

    • 1If it suits or pleases you.

      ‘we could go riding if you like’
      • ‘Use low-fat dairy products if you like which still add flavour with just a minimum amount of fat.’
      • ‘It's cordless, so you can then pick it up and bring it right to the table, if you like.’
      • ‘You can feel sorry for me if you like but really it's not necessary.’
      • ‘Add some sunflower seeds, wheat-germ or yoghurt to the blend if you like.’
      • ‘There are a variety of committees which you can participate in if you like.’
      • ‘You can take someone with you if you like, but I had no one to take.’
      • ‘Add the juice of an orange if you like and serve in tall glasses with ice cubes.’
      • ‘You can use any vegetables - add leeks, carrots, potatoes or cauliflower if you like.’
      • ‘Call me a reactionary if you like, but I still think reading a work is an important first step in criticizing it.’
      • ‘I'll try to get an MP3 version on the site here soon so you can download it if you like.’

    • 2Used when expressing something in a new or tentative way.

      ‘it's a whole new branch of chemistry, a new science if you like’
      • ‘They're spending ten billion to not have to spend twenty billion, if you like.’
      • ‘To understand showbiz you have to realise that there is a great snobbery, a pecking order if you like, and movies are at the top.’
      • ‘Whatever the pub there is always one thing, good or bad, to set it apart - its own unique selling point if you like.’
      • ‘Is that the answer, or is it a matter of handling this insurrection, if you like, in a different way.’
      • ‘He should not be afraid to explain that we are moving towards a Federal Britain - or a US-UK, if you like.’
      • ‘Anyway, I've given myself from now until Xmas to chill out - an extended holiday if you like.’
      • ‘What is being offered today is more brand diversification if you like.’
      • ‘However, this week it's two problems, or the same problem in two sports if you like.’
      • ‘That can be a very helpful way of trying to create a sort of win/win, if you like, for the two organisations.’
      • ‘In themselves they are just other products of evolution or creations of God if you like.’
    like it or not
    informal

    • Used to indicate that someone has no choice in a matter.

      • ‘you're celebrating with us, like it or not’
      • ‘Nobody likes change but things will change whether we like it or not.’
      • ‘Whether we like it or not, the vast majority of children these days have mobile phones.’
      • ‘The fact is that his decision will, like it or not, generate public interest.’
      • ‘It's the way of the capitalist world in which we participate, like it or not.’
      • ‘However, what he forgets is that the English language is changing it all the time whether we like it or not.’
      • ‘Europe recognises regions rather than cities and, like it or not, that is how the cash is doled out.’
      • ‘Sport is normal, sport is human, sport, like it or not, is part of the fabric of life and society.’
      • ‘We've got to start making changes to the way we live, whether we like it or not.’
      • ‘Society does change, whether we like it or not, and new problems have to be faced.’
      • ‘There are eight regional assemblies up and running now, whether we like it or not.’
    what's not to like?
    informal

    • Used as a rhetorical expression of approval or satisfaction.

      • ‘cleaner air, cooler temperatures and mountain views—what's not to like?’
      • ‘He's tall, he's gorgeous, he's built, he's intelligent what's not to like?’
      • ‘What's not to like about her? "’
      • ‘Tall (enough), dark, handsome, what's not to like?’
      • ‘From their (admittedly rather limited) perspective, what's not to like?’
      • ‘The concert was fantastic: picnic dinner with friendly company, both my kids nearby, what's not to like?’
      • ‘Solar energy seems like a no-brainer - hey, free energy from the sky, what's not to like?’
      • ‘I love a good bagel: what's not to like?’
      • ‘Honestly, what's not to like about Christmas?’
      • ‘What's not to like about the weirdo residents?’
      • ‘What's not to like about St Lucia?’
    not like the look of

    • Find worrying or alarming.

      ‘I don't like the look of that head injury’
      • ‘He didn't like the look of either of them, and from the glares both of them gave him it was obvious that the feeling was very mutual.’
      • ‘‘I don't like the sound of the plans,’ he said, ‘and I'm going to support those opposing the development.’’
      • ‘But I don't like the sound of such totalitarian measures.’
      • ‘‘I don't mind telling you guys that I don't like the look of this weather,’ he announces.’
      • ‘Minnesota's Mark Dayton didn't like the look of recent polls and has bowed out of next year's race.’
      • ‘If she didn't like the look of her new neighbours she was too well bred to show it.’
      • ‘But at 10 pm we went to check on him and my husband didn't like the look of the colour of him.’
      • ‘If you didn't like the look of the fellow asking you to dance, you just said no.’
      • ‘The girl was a real looker but I don't like the look of the other guy.’
      • ‘They don't like the look of the latest company results.’

Origin

Old English līcian ‘be pleasing’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lijken.