like

Universal Words preposition, verb, conjunction, noun, adjective, adverb preposition 1 similar to sb/sth: She's wearing a dress like mine. * He's very like his father. * She looks nothing like (= not at all like) her mother. * That sounds like (= I think I can hear) him coming now. 2 used to ask sb's opinion of sb/sth: What's it like studying in Spain? * This new girlfriend of his-what's she like? 3 used to show what is usual or typical for sb: It's just like her to tell everyone about it. 4 in the same way as sb/sth: Students were angry at being treated like children. * He ran like the wind (= very fast). * You do it like this. * I, like everyone else, have read these stories in the press. * Don't look at me like that. * (spoken) The candles are arranged like so (= in this way). 5 for example: Utopian novels like 'Animal Farm' and '1984' -< AS IDIOMS more like... used to give a number or an amount that is more accurate than one previously mentioned: He believes the figure should be more like $10 million. more like (it) (informal) 1 better; more satisfactory: This is more like it! Real food-not that canned muck. 2 used to give what you think is a better description of sth: Just talking? Arguing more like it. verb (not usually used in the progressive tenses) 1 to find sb/sth pleasant, attractive or satisfactory; to enjoy sth: [VN] She's nice. I like her. * Do you like their new house? * Which tie do you like best? * How did you like Japan (= did you find it pleasant)? * I don't like the way he's looking at me. * You've got to go to school, whether you like it or not. * [V-ing] She's never liked swimming. * [VN-ing] I didn't like him taking all the credit. * (formal) I didn't like his taking all the credit. * [Vtoinf] I like to see them enjoying themselves. * [VNwh-] I like it when you do that. 2 [nopassive] to prefer to do sth; to prefer sth to be made or to happen in a particular way: [Vtoinf] At weekends I like to sleep late. * [VN-ADJ] I like my coffee strong. 3 [VN] [nopassive] to want: Do what you like-I don't care. * You can dye your hair whatever colour you like. 4 used in negative sentences to mean 'to be unwilling to do sth': [Vtoinf] I didn't like to disturb you. * [V-ing] He doesn't like asking his parents for help. 5 used with would or should as a polite way to say what you want or to ask what sb wants: [VN] Would you like a drink? * [Vtoinf] I'd like to think it over. * Would you like to come with us? * (formal) We would like to apologize for the delay. * How can they afford it? That's what I'd like to know. * [VNtoinf] We'd like you to come and visit us. * [V] (AmE) I'd like for us to work together. -> WANT IDIOMS how would you like it? used to emphasize that sth bad has happened to you and you want some sympathy: How would you like it if someone called you a liar? if you like (spoken) 1 used to politely agree to sth or to suggest sth: 'Shall we stop now?' 'If you like.' * If you like, we could go out this evening. 2 used when you express sth in a new way or when you are not confident about sth: It was, if you like, the dawn of a new era. I like that! (old-fashioned, spoken) used to protest that sth that has been said is not true or fair: 'She called you a cheat.' 'Well, I like that!' I / I'd like to think used to say that you hope or believe that sth is true: I like to think I'm broad-minded. * I'd like to think that you were helping me because you wanted to, not because you felt you had to. conjunction (informal) 1 in the same way as: No one sings the blues like she did. * It didn't turn out like I intended. * Like I said (= as I said before), you're always welcome to stay. 2 as if: She acts like she owns the place. HELPNOTE You will find more information about this use of like at the entries for the verbs act, behave, feel, look and sound and in the note at as. noun 1 (likes) [pl.] the things that you like: We all have different likes and dislikes. 2 [sing.] a person or thing that is similar to another: jazz, rock and the like (= similar types of music) * a man whose like we shall not see again * You're not comparing like with like. 3 (the likes of sb/sth) (informal) used to refer to sb/sth that is considered as a type, especially one that is considered as good as sb/sth else: She didn't want to associate with the likes of me. adjective [onlybeforenoun] (formal) having similar qualities to another person or thing: a chance to meet people of like mind (= with similar interests and opinions) * She responded in like manner. adverb 1 used in very informal speech, for example when you are thinking what to say next, explaining sth, or giving an example of sth: It was, like, weird. * It was kind of scary, like. * It's really hard. Like I have no time for my own work. 2 I'm, he's, she's, etc. ~ (AmE) used in very informal speech, to mean 'I say', 'he/she says', etc: And then I'm like 'No Way!' 3 used in informal speech instead of as to say that sth happens in the same way: There was silence, but not like before. -< AS IDIOMS (as) like as not