Word
like
US/ˈɫaɪk/
UK/lˈaɪk/
Definitions
01to enjoy
A1 · Beginner
v. to enjoy something or find it pleasant.
v. to find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory. Transitive — requires a direct object or an infinitive/gerund complement.
Español:gustarle
“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.”
Pitfall
I am liking this music.
I like this music.
As a stative verb, 'like' is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form in standard English.
Synonyms
02social media approval
A2 · Elementary Computing
v. to show you support or agree with a post on the internet by clicking a button.
v. 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.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03similar to
A1 · Beginner
prep. similar to something or someone else.
prep. 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.”
Pitfall
Your phone is the same like mine.
Your phone is the same as mine.
Use 'the same as' for identity, but 'like' for similarity.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04for example
A2 · Elementary
prep. used to give examples of something.
prep. introducing a specific instance or instances of a broader category.
Español:como
“I prefer bright colours, like yellow and orange.”
“The course covers various European languages, like French, German, and Spanish, focusing on conversational skills.”
05preferences
B1 · Intermediate Plural noun
n. the things that you enjoy or prefer.
n. 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.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
06similar people or things
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun
n. a person or thing that is similar to another.
n. 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.”
Synonyms
07in the same way as
B1 · Intermediate Informal
conj. in the same way that something else happens.
conj. 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.”
Synonyms
08alike
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. having the same qualities.
adj. 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.”
Antonyms
09filler word
C1 · Advanced Informal · Slang
part. a word used when you are thinking or to emphasize something.
part. 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.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “like” in context.
Verb
01. look like his father
“Everyone says that Thomas looks exactly like his father.”
verb + prep + possessive + noun
02. like to travel
“Most young people like to travel to different countries during their summer break.”
verb + infinitive
Preposition
03. like a dream
“The whole vacation felt like a dream that I didn't want to end.”
prep + noun
04. like a professional
“Even though she is only ten, she plays the piano like a professional.”
prep + noun
Adverb
05. particularly like the design
“I particularly like the design of this new smartphone.”
adv + verb + noun
06. like to send
07. like the one
08. like to submit
09. like to thank
10. like you're
11. like many others
12. like people
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
PREPOSITION
Idioms
01. and the like
02. be like
03. built like a brick outhouse
04. built like a brick shipyard
05. built like a brick shithouse
07. face like the back end of a bus
10. hit like a truck
Show all 45
11. I'd like to see someone try
12. just like that
14. like butter on a bald monkey
16. like mother, like daughter
17. like no other
18. like someone owns the place
19. like that
20. like the sound of one's own voice
22. make like a banana and split
23. make like a tree and leave
25. opinions are like assholes
28. play someone like a fiddle
29. play someone like a violin
30. run around like a chicken with its head cut off
34. smell like a tart's handbag
36. something like
38. squint like a bag of nails
42. they don't make them like that anymore
43. work like a dog
Grammar
For Mandarin speakers
Pronunciation Mandarin lacks a final /k/ plosive; speakers often release the sound with an extra vowel or omit it entirely, resulting in /laɪkə/ or /laɪ/.
Grammar Mandarin marks comparison through the particle 像 (xiàng) or 跟 (gēn)...一样 (yīyàng) without changing verb structure, which leads learners to omit the auxiliary 'do' in questions, producing 'You like me?' instead of 'Do you like me?' or 'You like what?' for 'What do you like?'.
Collocations The Mandarin verb 喜欢 (xǐ huān) covers both 'like' and 'be fond of' and frequently takes a bare verb as an object; this produces 'I like play football' instead of using the gerund 'playing' or the infinitive 'to play'.
For Japanese speakers
Pronunciation Japanese phonology lacks the /l/ and /ɹ/ distinction, using a single alveolar flap /ɾ/ instead. Speakers often replace the initial liquid in 'like' /laɪk/ with this flap, resulting in /ɾaikɯ/.
Grammar Japanese verbs such as 好き (suki) function as quasi-adjectives requiring the particle が (ga) for the object. This often causes learners to use 'like' with 'is' or 'to' (e.g., 'I am like tea' or 'I like to tea') by transferring the L1 adjectival structure.
Collocations The Japanese phrase 気に入る (ki ni iru), meaning to like or be pleased with, literally translates to 'enter the feelings'. This can lead to the non-standard collocation 'like in my heart' or 'take a liking in' when expressing new-found preference.
- 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
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/like
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0