- like
- likelike1 [līk]adj.[ME lik, aphetic for ilik < OE gelic, similar, equal, lit., of the same form or shape, akin to Ger gleich < PGmc * galīka- < * ga-, prefix of uncert. meaning + * līka, body, (ON līk, Goth leik, OE lic): for IE base see LICH]1. having almost or exactly the same qualities, characteristics, etc.; similar; equal [a cup of sugar and a like amount of flour]2. Rare alike3. Dial. likelyadv.Informal likely [like as not, he is already there]prep.1. similar to; somewhat resembling [she is like a bird]2. in a manner characteristic of; similarly to [she sings like a bird]3. in accord with the nature of; characteristic of [it's not like her to sleep late]4. in the mood for; desirous of [to feel like sleeping]5. indicative or prophetic of [that sounds like fun; it looks like a clear day tomorrow]6. as for example [great dramatists like Sophocles and Shakespeare] Like was originally an adjective in senses LIKE1 1, 3, 5, and an adverb in sense LIKE1 2, and is still considered so by conservative grammariansconj.Informal1. in the way that; as [it was just like you said]2. as if [it looks like he is late]n.a person or thing regarded as the equal or counterpart of another or of the person or thing being discussed [I've never met her like]interj.Informal inserted into spoken sentences before or after a word, phrase, or clause, apparently without meaning or syntactic function, but possibly for emphasis [it's, like, hot]——————be likeSlang to say, think, or feel [so I'm like, “We have to be there on time,” and he's like, “Well, duh — so what else is new?”]——————like anythingInformal very much; exceedingly——————like blazes or like crazy or like the devil or like madInformal with furious energy, speed, etc.——————like toDial. nearly; almost [he like to broke the door down]——————nothing likenot at all like; completely different from——————something likealmost like; about——————the likeothers of the same kind——————the like of or the likes ofInformal any person or thing likelike2 [līk]vi.liked, liking [ME liken < OE lician (akin to Goth leikan) < base of lic, body, form (see LIKE1): sense development: to be of like form—be like—be suited to—be pleasing to]1. Obs. to please2. to be so inclined; choose [leave whenever you like]vt.1. to have a taste or fondness for; be pleased with; have a preference for; enjoy2. to want or wish [I would like to see him]3. Informal to favor and support as the probable winner [I like Cleveland in the Series]n.[pl.] preferences, tastes, or affectionspreferences, tastes, or affections——————more like itInformal closer to being what is wantedlikern.
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.