English Reference
verb · noun

dislike

v. · n.
US /dɪˈsɫaɪk/ UK /dɪslˈaɪk/ dis·like UK spelling disliked, dislikes, disliking

  1. 01 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.

    Simple

    I dislike the taste of olives, so I always ask for them to be removed from my pizza.

    In context

    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.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

    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.

    Simple

    If you don't enjoy the video, you can dislike it or just leave a comment.

    In context

    The creator noticed that users began to dislike the video in large numbers following the controversial announcement.

    downvote
    likeupvote
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    n.a feeling of not liking something.

    n.a feeling of distaste, aversion, or hostility toward something.

    Simple

    He has a strong dislike of spicy food and never eats at Indian restaurants.

    In context

    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'.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate

    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'.

    Simple

    The dating app asks you to list your likes and dislikes to find a good match.

    In context

    When planning the menu, the chef took careful note of the guests' dietary dislikes to ensure everyone enjoyed the meal.

    pet peeves
    preferencesfavourites
  5. 05 B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

    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.

    Simple

    The video received thousands of dislikes within an hour of being posted.

    In context

    The platform decided to hide the total number of dislikes to protect creators from targeted harassment campaigns.

    downvote

From dis- + like.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated