like1

 
Pronunciation: /lʌɪk/

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

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: 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.