like1

Pronunciation: /lʌɪk/

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Definition of like

preposition

1having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to:he used to have a car like mine 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
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

[attributive]

(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
[predic.] (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:the preservation of endangered species in zoos, botanical gardens, and the like
like anything: British 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 someone or something regarded as a type:she didn’t want to associate with the likes of me
more like: 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: the sound of Mozart’s Horn Concerto filled the car and he relaxed—that was more like it
of (a) like mind: (of a person) sharing the same opinions or tastes.
what is he (or she etc.) like?: British informal used as an expression of light-hearted incredulity at behaviour regarded as foolish or eccentric:What are you like? I don’t believe you are doing this

Origin:

Middle English: from Old Norse líkr; related to alike

In the sentence he’s behaving like he owns the place, like is a conjunction meaning ‘as if’, a usage regarded as incorrect in standard English. 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, where as if should be used instead.

like in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of like in the US 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

what is he (or she etc.) like?

Origin:

like in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for like

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