like1
prep.
- similar to.
▸in the manner of.
▸in a way appropriate to.
▸characteristic of.
▸used to ask about someone's or something's characteristics.
- in this manner.
- such as.
conj.
informal - in the same way that.
- as though.
n.
a similar person or thing.
▸
(the like)
things of the same kind.
adj.
having similar characteristics to another.
adv.
- informal used in speech as a meaningless filler.
- informal, chiefly US used to convey a person's reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech:
so she comes in and she's like ‘Where is everybody?’
-
(like as/to)
archaic in the manner of.
Phrase
- and the like
et cetera. - like anything
informal, chiefly Brit. to a great degree. -
(as)
like as not
probably. - like so
informal in this manner. - the likes of
informal a person such as.
Usage
It is considered unacceptable in formal English to use like as a conjunction meaning ‘as if’ (as in he's behaving like he owns the place). Use as if or as though instead.
Etymology
ME: from ON líkr; rel. to alike.
like2
v.
- find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory.
- wish for; want.
▸prefer:
how do you like your coffee?
▸(in questions) feel about or regard.
n.
(
likes)
the things one likes.
Etymology
OE līcian ‘be pleasing’, of Gmc origin.