Word
liking
Phoneticslik·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫaɪkɪŋ/
UK/lˈaɪkɪŋ/
Definitions
01preference or fondness
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a feeling that you enjoy or prefer something.
n. a feeling of regard or fondness; a preference for something.
“She has a strong liking for spicy food and eats it almost every day.”
“His sudden liking for classical music surprised his friends, as he had previously shown interest only in modern electronic genres.”
Synonyms
02satisfaction or taste
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of being exactly how you want something to be.
n. one's taste, pleasure, or satisfaction; almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase 'to one's liking'.
“The chef prepared the steak exactly to my liking.”
“The interior designer worked tirelessly to ensure every detail of the renovation was precisely to the client's liking.”
Usage
Usually follows the preposition 'to' and a possessive adjective.
Synonyms
Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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