like1

Syllabification: (like)

Pronunciation: /līk/

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Definition of like

preposition

1having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to:there were other suits like mine in the shop they were like brothers she looked nothing like Audrey Hepburn
in the manner of; in the same way or to the same degree as:he was screaming like a banshee you must run like the wind
in a way appropriate to:students were angry at being treated like children
such as one might expect from; characteristic of:just like you to put a damper on people’s enjoyment
used in questions to ask about the characteristics or nature of someone or something:What is it like to be a tuna fisherman? What’s she like?

2used to draw attention to the nature of an action or event:I apologize for coming over unannounced like this why are you talking about me like that?

3such as; for example:the cautionary vision of works like Animal Farm and 1984

conjunction

informal

1in the same way that; as:people who change countries like they change clothes

2as though; as if:I felt like I’d been kicked by a camel

noun

used with reference to a person or thing of the same kind as another:the quotations could be arranged to put like with like I know him—him and his like
(the like) a thing or things of the same kind (often used to express surprise or for emphasis):did you ever hear the like? a church interior the like of which he had never seen before

adjective

(of a person or thing) having similar qualities or characteristics to another person or thing:I responded in like manner the grouping of children of like ability together
British (of a portrait or other image) having a faithful resemblance to the original:“Who painted the dog’s picture? It’s very like.”

adverb

1 informal used in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker’s uncertainty about an expression just used:there was this funny smell—sort of dusty like

2 informal used to convey a person’s reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation):so she comes into the room and she’s like “Where is everybody?”

3 (like as/to) archaic in the manner of:like as a ship with dreadful storm long tossed

Phrases

and the like: and similar things; et cetera.
like anything: informal to a great degree:they would probably worry like anything
(as) like as not: probably:she would be in bed by now, like as not
like enough (or most like): archaic probably:he’ll have lost a deal of blood, I dare say, and like enough he’s still losing it
like ——, like ——: as —— is, so is ——:like father, like son
like so: informal in this manner:the votive candles are arranged like so
the likes of: informal used of someone or something regarded as a type:she didn’t want to associate with the likes of me
more like: informal nearer to (a specified number or description) than one previously given:he believes the figure should be more like $10 million; (more like it) nearer to what is required or expected; more satisfactory.
of (a) like mind: (of a person) sharing the same opinions or tastes.

Origin:

Middle English: from Old Norse líkr; related to alike

The use of like as a conjunction meaning ‘as’ or ‘as if’ (I don’t have a wealthy set of in-laws like you do; they sit up like they’re begging for food) is considered by many to be incorrect. Although like has been used as a conjunction in this way since the 15th century by many respected writers, it is still frowned upon and considered unacceptable in formal English. In more precise use, like is a preposition, used before nouns and pronouns: to fly like a bird; a town like ours. See also go¹ (usage).

like in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of like in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

like1

preposition

conjunction

noun

adjective

adverb

Phrases

and the like

like anything

(as) like as not

like enough (or most like)

like ——, like ——

like so

the likes of

more like

of (a) like mind

Origin:

like in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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