liking
n.-
1 preference or fondness (n.) B1 Intermediatea feeling that you enjoy or prefer something.
a feeling of regard or fondness; a preference for something.
ExampleShe has a strong liking for spicy food and eats it almost every day.
ExampleHis sudden liking for classical music surprised his friends, as he had previously shown interest only in modern electronic genres.
-
2 satisfaction or taste (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe state of being exactly how you want something to be.
one's taste, pleasure, or satisfaction; almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase 'to one's liking'.
ExampleThe chef prepared the steak exactly to my liking.
ExampleThe interior designer worked tirelessly to ensure every detail of the renovation was precisely to the client's liking.
UsageUsually follows the preposition 'to' and a possessive adjective.
From Middle English likinge, likinde, likende, likande, licande, from Old English līciende, līciġende, from Proto-Germanic līkāndz, present participle of Proto-Germanic līkāną, equivalent to like + -ing.
From Middle English likinge, from Old English līcung (“pleasing; pleasure; gratification; liking”), equivalent to like + -ing.