# like

/ˈɫaɪk/ (US) · /lˈaɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/like
Updated: 2026-06-15

## Senses

### 1. to enjoy

verb · CEFR A1

to enjoy something or find it pleasant.

For teachers: to find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory. Transitive — requires a direct object or an infinitive/gerund complement.

- I really like the new Italian restaurant in the city centre.
- Most residents seem to like the proposed changes to the park, though a vocal minority remains concerned about the cost.

### 2. social media approval

verb · CEFR A2

to show you support or agree with a post on the internet by clicking a button.

For teachers: to indicate approval of digital content via a specific interface action.

- Don't forget to like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video.
- The post was liked by thousands of users within minutes of being published on the platform.

### 3. similar to

preposition · CEFR A1

similar to something or someone else.

For teachers: having the same or nearly the same characteristics as another entity.

- She looks just like her mother when she smiles.
- The fabric feels like silk, but it is actually a highly sophisticated synthetic blend designed for durability.

### 4. for example

preposition · CEFR A2

used to give examples of something.

For teachers: introducing a specific instance or instances of a broader category.

- I prefer bright colours, like yellow and orange.
- The course covers various European languages, like French, German, and Spanish, focusing on conversational skills.

### 5. preferences

noun · CEFR B1

the things that you enjoy or prefer.

For teachers: the things that a person finds pleasing or prefers; usually used in the plural.

- We discussed our likes and dislikes regarding the new office design.
- Understanding the likes of your target audience is essential for any successful marketing campaign.

### 6. similar people or things

noun · CEFR B2

a person or thing that is similar to another.

For teachers: a person or thing of the same kind or class as one mentioned.

- We shall never see his like again.
- The museum houses ancient coins, pottery, and the like, all recovered from the local excavation site.

### 7. in the same way as

conjunction · CEFR B1 · Informal

in the same way that something else happens.

For teachers: used to introduce a clause describing a manner or state; often substituted for 'as' in informal speech.

- No one makes chocolate cake like my grandmother does.
- He behaves like he owns the place, which irritates the rest of the staff.

### 8. alike

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

having the same qualities.

For teachers: possessing the same or similar characteristics; often used in the phrase 'of like mind'.

- The two companies have like interests in the energy sector.
- The project brought together people of like mind who were all committed to environmental conservation.

### 9. filler word

particle · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a word used when you are thinking or to emphasize something.

For teachers: a discourse marker used as a filler, to indicate a paraphrase, or to signal a focus on new information.

- I was, like, so surprised when she told me the news.
- He was like, 'I can't believe we missed the train,' and I was just standing there in shock.

Usage: Commonly used in speech to fill pauses or before quoting someone.

Teaching tip: Learners should avoid using this in formal writing or professional presentations as it can sound unprofessional.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.