Word
dislike
Phoneticsdis·like, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈsɫaɪk/
UK/dɪslˈaɪk/
Definitions
01to not like
B1 · Intermediate
v. to have a feeling that you do not like someone or something.
v. to experience a feeling of aversion or antipathy toward a person, object, or situation. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“I dislike the taste of olives, so I always ask for them to be removed from my pizza.”
“Many residents dislike the new urban planning proposal, arguing that it prioritises commercial interests over community green spaces.”
Usage
Commonly followed by a noun or a gerund (verb ending in -ing).
Pitfall
I am disliking this cold weather.
I dislike this cold weather.
Dislike is a stative verb; it describes a state of mind rather than an action, so it is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form.
02internet vote
B1 · Intermediate Computing Informal
v. to click a button on a website to show you do not like a post or video.
v. to register a negative reaction or vote of disapproval on a digital platform using a specific interface element.
“If you don't enjoy the video, you can dislike it or just leave a comment.”
“The creator noticed that users began to dislike the video in large numbers following the controversial announcement.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a feeling of distaste
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a feeling of not liking something.
n. a feeling of distaste, aversion, or hostility toward something.
“He has a strong dislike of spicy food and never eats at Indian restaurants.”
“Her intense dislike for bureaucratic inefficiency led her to resign from the civil service after only six months.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'of' or 'for'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04things you do not like
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the specific things that a person does not enjoy.
n. the specific objects or activities toward which an individual feels aversion; typically used in the plural 'likes and dislikes'.
“The dating app asks you to list your likes and dislikes to find a good match.”
“When planning the menu, the chef took careful note of the guests' dietary dislikes to ensure everyone enjoyed the meal.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
05internet negative vote
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Computing Informal
n. a vote on a website that shows people do not like a post.
n. an instance of a negative vote or 'thumbs down' icon being selected on a social media platform.
“The video received thousands of dislikes within an hour of being posted.”
“The platform decided to hide the total number of dislikes to protect creators from targeted harassment campaigns.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dislike” in context.
Verb
01. dislike working
“Many people dislike working on weekends because they want to spend time with family.”
verb + noun
02. express a dislike
“Several customers expressed a dislike for the new logo design.”
verb + noun
Noun
03. dislike for
“His dislike for early morning meetings is well known in the office.”
noun + prep
04. instant dislike
“I took an instant dislike to the new apartment because it was so dark.”
adj + noun
05. strong dislike of
“She has a strong dislike of spicy food and always orders mild dishes.”
noun + of + noun
Adverb
06. intensely dislike
“I intensely dislike the way he speaks to his colleagues.”
adv + verb
07. openly dislike
“The two politicians openly dislike each other and argue during every meeting.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“In fact, Coie and his colleagues found kids can be both liked and disliked by different students, or neither liked nor disliked.” “The backlash continued on Sunday, as New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan - who has been friendly with Trump for years - told reporters that he disliked the image.” “The trailer for the latest blockbuster Call of Duty game has become one of the most disliked videos in YouTube history.” Etymology
From dis- + like.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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