like

17 synonyms and 4 antonyms for like, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To enjoy something or find it agreeable; to be favorably disposed toward someone or something.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

enjoy appreciate fancy go care similar corresponding same

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

alike comparable

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

be fond of be keen on relish care for take to ilk be all

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To enjoy something or find it agreeable; to be favorably disposed toward someone or something.

“I like the way she explains things.”

enjoy appreciate be fond of be keen on relish care for fancy take to ilk be all go care

Opposites

dislike antithesis opposite unlike

2. adj

Similar; alike.

“They were dressed in like fashion.”

alike comparable similar corresponding same

Opposites

unlike

3. noun

Something a person likes; a preference. Also, a vote of approval on a social media post.

“The post got thousands of likes overnight.”

ilk

How to use like

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

like it or not feel like would like to nothing like

The filler use ("it was, like, amazing") is casual speech — avoid it in formal writing.

Etymology

The verb comes from Old English līcian ("to please, be pleasing"), related to Old English/Germanic roots meaning "similar" — hence the overlap with the "similar to" senses.

Full origin of like →

Frequently asked questions

What does “like” mean?

The word “like” means to enjoy something or find it agreeable; to be favorably disposed toward someone or something. In plain terms, covers two big ideas: (1) enjoying/wanting something, and (2) being similar to something.

How do you pronounce “like”?

“Like” is pronounced lyk (/laɪ̯k/ in IPA).

How do you use “like” in a sentence?

Here is “like” used in a sentence: “I like the way she explains things.”

What is another word for “like”?

Words with a similar meaning to “like” include ilk, be all and go.

What is the opposite of “like”?

The opposite of “like” — its antonyms — are antithesis, opposite and unlike.

What part of speech is “like”?

Depending on how it is used, “like” can be a verb, a preposition, a conjunction, an adjective, a particle and a noun.

Where does the word “like” come from?

The word “like” comes from Old English. The verb comes from Old English līcian ("to please, be pleasing"), related to Old English/Germanic roots meaning "similar" — hence the overlap with the "similar to" senses.

Is “like” a common word?

“Like” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

What is the difference between 'like' and 'love'?

Both express positive feeling, but they differ in intensity. To like something is to find it pleasant or agreeable — a mild, everyday fondness. To love it is far stronger, implying deep affection or passion. You might like a colleague but love your closest friend.

What is the opposite of 'like'?

The direct opposite is 'dislike,' meaning to find something disagreeable. Stronger opposites include 'hate,' 'detest,' and 'loathe.' In everyday speech people often just say they 'don't like' something, which sits somewhere between genuine indifference and active dislike.

What is an example of 'like' as a verb?

In 'she likes jazz,' the verb 'like' shows that she enjoys or is favorably disposed toward jazz. Other examples include 'do you like this design?' and 'they liked him immediately.' The verb always takes an object — the person or thing being enjoyed.

Is 'like' a positive word?

Yes, as a verb it is positive, expressing enjoyment or approval. It is gentler than 'love' or 'adore,' so it comes across as warm but measured. Its strength depends on context: 'I quite like it' is mild, while 'I really like you' carries far more feeling.

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go same care similar enjoy appreciate opposite unlike fancy corresponding comparable alike

Nearby words

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