ENGLISH
REFERENCE

liking

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɫaɪkɪŋ// UK //lˈaɪkɪŋ// lik·ing Archaic

n. a feeling of enjoying or preferring something. You use it to say you find something pleasant or to your taste.

n. a feeling of regard or fondness; a preference for something. Often used in the construction 'to one's liking' to indicate satisfaction.


SIMPLE

She has a strong liking for spicy food.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef prepared the steak exactly to the customer's liking, ensuring it was perfectly medium-rare.

COMPLEX

While he developed a liking for the local architecture, he found the humid climate of the coastal city difficult to endure during the summer months.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

From Middle English likinge, from Old English līcung (“pleasing; pleasure; gratification; liking”), equivalent to like + -ing.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'for' when expressing a fondness, or 'to' when expressing satisfaction ('to my liking').

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