Meaning of like in English

We use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about: …

We use would like or ’d like to offer something to someone in a polite way or to ask them to do something politely (requests), or politely to say what we want. We use the to-infinitive form of verbs that follow: …

In informal contexts, we can use like as a conjunction instead of as. Traditional grammar books consider this use of like incorrect: …

We can use like as a suffix at the end of a noun to mean ‘similar to’: …

In informal speaking, you will hear like used very commonly. It has a number of functions. It is important not to use these forms in formal writing such as academic essays. …

We can use be like to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour): …

We use be like to talk about someone’s character or personality. We use look like to talk about someone’s appearance: …

Idioms

how do you like...?
how would you like...?
I'd like to see...
if you like
like it or lump it
what's not to like?
would you like...?

preposition, conjunction

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/laɪk/ us

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like preposition, conjunction (SIMILAR TO)

similar to; in the same way or manner as:

He looks like his brother.

She's very much like her mother (= she is similar in appearance or character).

Is Japanese food like Chinese?

I've got a sweater just like that.

Her hair was so soft it was like silk.

You're acting like a complete idiot!

She sings like an angel!

Like I said (= as I have already said), I don't wear perfume.

Like most people (= as most people would), I'd prefer to have enough money not to work.

It feels/seems like (= it seems to me) ages since we last spoke.

There's nothing like a good cup of coffee (= it's better than anything)!

More examples

The youngest boys are so close in age they look like twins.
Sam's been prowling about like a caged animal all morning.
The blackbird, like most birds, breeds in the spring.
She's behaving like a spoilt brat.
"What was the weather like?" "It rained all week."

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Similar and the same

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like preposition, conjunction (AS IF)

in a way that suggests:

It looks like I'm going to be in the office until late tonight.

It looks like rain (= I think it is going to rain).

It sounds to me like you ought to change jobs.

You look like you've just got out of bed!

not standard She acts like she's stupid!

More examples

It seems like they've got lost.
It looks like we'll be late.
He looks like he never washes.
It seems like she's always angry.
It looks like he'll pass the exam after all.

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Similar and the same

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Grammar

As or like?

As and like are prepositions or conjunctions. The prepositions as and like have different meanings. As + noun means ‘in the role of’, like + noun means ‘similar to’ or ‘in the same way as’. …

We use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about: …

In informal contexts, we can use like as a conjunction instead of as. Traditional grammar books consider this use of like incorrect: …

We can use like as a suffix at the end of a noun to mean ‘similar to’: …

In informal speaking, you will hear like used very commonly. It has a number of functions. It is important not to use these forms in formal writing such as academic essays. …

We can use be like to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour): …

We use be like to talk about someone’s character or personality. We use look like to talk about someone’s appearance: …

Idioms

like a dog with two tails
like two peas in a pod
like you care!/like you'd know!/like he'd ask!
what are you like?
what is sb/sth like?

preposition

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/laɪk/ us

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like preposition (TYPICAL OF)

typical or characteristic of:

That's just like Maisie to turn up half an hour late to her own party!

It's not like you to be so quiet - are you all right, my love?

More examples

It's not like you to behave like this, Alice - I'm surprised at you !
I'm worried about your sister - it isn't like her to be so late.
"They had even arranged a car to collect us from the airport." "Isn't that just like them? They're so thoughtful!"
"The boys had eaten all the food before we arrived." "That sounds just like them - what pigs!"
It wouldn't be like Mum to go out without her handbag.

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Typifying, illustrating and exemplifying

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like preposition (SUCH AS)

such as:

She looks best in bright, vibrant colours, like red and pink.

More examples

Expenses like office phone bills are tax deductible .
I prefer hard cheeses, like Cheddar.
We were always told that cholesterol, in foods like eggs, was a major cause of heart disease.
It can sometimes be difficult to give a verbal description of things like colours and sounds.
It's unusual to have adult conversation like that with such a young child.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Typifying, illustrating and exemplifying

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Grammar

We use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about: …

In informal contexts, we can use like as a conjunction instead of as. Traditional grammar books consider this use of like incorrect: …

We can use like as a suffix at the end of a noun to mean ‘similar to’: …

In informal speaking, you will hear like used very commonly. It has a number of functions. It is important not to use these forms in formal writing such as academic essays. …

We can use be like to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour): …

We use be like to talk about someone’s character or personality. We use look like to talk about someone’s appearance: …

adverb

informal

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like adverb (FEELINGS/SPEECH)

used before you describe how you were feeling or what you said when something happened to you:

Then I saw how late it was and I'm like, so upset.

He started shouting at me and I'm like, "What's your problem? I'm on your side!"

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Linguistics: interjections

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like adverb (PAUSE)

used in conversation as a pause or to emphasize an adjective:

He's, like, really friendly - someone you can talk to.

If there's nothing you can do to change the situation, it's like - why bother?

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Linguistics: very & extreme

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Grammar

We use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about: …

In informal contexts, we can use like as a conjunction instead of as. Traditional grammar books consider this use of like incorrect: …

We can use like as a suffix at the end of a noun to mean ‘similar to’: …

In informal speaking, you will hear like used very commonly. It has a number of functions. It is important not to use these forms in formal writing such as academic essays. …

We can use be like to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour): …

We use be like to talk about someone’s character or personality. We use look like to talk about someone’s appearance: …

noun

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the like of sb/sth; sb's/sth's like

(also the likes of sb/sth)

a person, thing, or group similar in character or quality to the one mentioned:

Boxing hasn't seen the likes of Muhammad Ali since he retired.

He was a very great actor - we won't see his like again.

He described a superlative meal, the like of which he'd never eaten before.

They're competing with the likes of Microsoft.

and such like informal (also and the like)

and similar things:

There's a big sports hall for tennis and badminton and such like.

likes B2 [ plural ]

the things that someone enjoys:

The star lists his likes as "my new Porsche, my girlfriend, and staying up all night."

They can't expect me to accommodate all their silly little likes and dislikes.

not for the likes of sb informal (also like)

not for the type of people mentioned:

First-class travel is for rich people - it's not for the likes of us.

[ C ]

(on a page on a social networking website) an act of showing that you think something is good by clicking a button:

My new profile picture got 100 likes.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Describing people with the same qualities

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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

Also, extra, and in addition

Liking

Categories and varieties

Approving & approval

Internet terminology

adjective

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/laɪk/ us

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be like to do sth old use

to be likely to do something

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Possible and probable

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Grammar

We use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about: …

In informal contexts, we can use like as a conjunction instead of as. Traditional grammar books consider this use of like incorrect: …

We can use like as a suffix at the end of a noun to mean ‘similar to’: …

In informal speaking, you will hear like used very commonly. It has a number of functions. It is important not to use these forms in formal writing such as academic essays. …

We can use be like to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour): …

We use be like to talk about someone’s character or personality. We use look like to talk about someone’s appearance: …

Idiom

be of like mind

-like

suffix

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/ -laɪk/ us

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like the thing mentioned:

The paper criticized what it described as the animal-like behaviour of the fans.

There was a large, ball-like structure on top of the building.

childlike trust

a cabbage-like vegetable

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Similar and the same

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Grammar

We use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about: …

In informal contexts, we can use like as a conjunction instead of as. Traditional grammar books consider this use of like incorrect: …

We can use like as a suffix at the end of a noun to mean ‘similar to’: …

In informal speaking, you will hear like used very commonly. It has a number of functions. It is important not to use these forms in formal writing such as academic essays. …

We can use be like to ask for a description of someone or something (e.g. their appearance, their character, their behaviour): …