like
lyk
Like (verb) means to enjoy something or find it agreeable; to be favorably disposed toward someone or something. Example: “I like the way she explains things.”
verb
1
To enjoy something or find it agreeable; to be favorably disposed toward someone or something.
"I like the way she explains things."
"Do you like spicy food?"
"My little brother likes dogs more than any other animal."
2
To want or wish something (often "would like").
"I would like a coffee, please."
"Would you like some help with those heavy bags?"
"We would like to book a table for four tonight."
3
To click a "like" button to show approval of a social media post.
"She liked my photo within minutes of posting it."
"He liked her post about the new bakery in town."
"Please like and share the video if you enjoyed it."
prep
1
Similar to; in the manner of; resembling.
"He sings like his father used to."
"It tastes like cinnamon."
"The old house looked like something out of a fairy tale."
conj
1
As, or as if.
"She acted like nothing had happened."
"It looks like it is going to rain this afternoon."
"He talks like he knows everything about the subject."
adj
1
Similar; alike.
"They were dressed in like fashion."
"Teachers of like experience were placed in the same group."
"The two shops sell goods of like quality at similar prices."
particle
1
Informal filler word used for hesitation, emphasis, or an approximate quote ("She was like, 'no way'").
"It was, like, really cold out there."
"I was, like, so tired that I fell asleep on the bus."
"He's like, 'I'm not going,' and then he just left."
noun
1
Something a person likes; a preference. Also, a vote of approval on a social media post.
"The post got thousands of likes overnight."
"Tell me your likes and dislikes before I plan the menu."
"Her video collected plenty of likes after lunch."
How to use like
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovers two big ideas: (1) enjoying/wanting something, and (2) being similar to something.
When to use it
The filler use ("it was, like, amazing") is casual speech — avoid it in formal writing.
Common pairings
like it or not
feel like
would like to
nothing like
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Word forms
- Plural
- likes
- Third person singular
- likes
- Past tense
- liked
- Comparative
- more like
- Superlative
- most like
- Archaic forms
- likest, likedst, liketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ the way she explains things.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for like
See all rhymes for 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.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing like in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Not quite a food market and not quite a village fete, a sagra is like a village moving its kitchen outdoors for a few nights.
From
The Guardian · Jul 26, 2026
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