like

To enjoy something or feel that someone or something is pleasant or good.

• I like this song.
• She liked the food we made.
• Do your children like reading?

How to use it: like someone/something (I like your new shoes.); like doing something (She likes swimming in the sea.); like to do something (They like to watch films together.)

Similar words: enjoy, be fond of

Opposites: dislike, hate

Common phrases: like something, like someone, really like something

To feel attracted to someone and perhaps want a romantic relationship with them.

• I think she likes him.
• He liked me, but I only wanted friendship.
• Do you like her enough to ask her out?

How to use it: like someone (I think Tom likes you.)

Similar words: be attracted to, have a crush on, fancy

Common phrases: like someone, really like someone, like someone back

To choose to do something regularly because it seems useful or right to you.

• I like to arrive early.
• She likes to keep her desk tidy.
• He liked to check his emails before breakfast.

How to use it: like to + verb (I like to check the doors before bed.)

Similar words: prefer

Common phrases: like to check, like to keep, like to arrive

Something that a person enjoys or prefers, usually discussed together with things they do not enjoy.

• We have different likes and dislikes.
• Tell me about your likes.
• Her personal likes influenced the colours she chose.

Similar words: preference, taste

Opposites: dislike

Common phrases: a personal like, someone’s main like

In a list, this refers to other things of the same kind.

• Bring cups, plates, and the like.
• The shop sells screws, nails, and the like.
• Could you lend me a basket or the like?

How to use it: A, B, and the like (We sell pens, notebooks, and the like.)

Similar words: similar things

Common phrases: and the like, or the like

People of a particular kind, mentioned to show that you do not respect or approve of them.

• Keep away from the likes of him.
• She refused to work with the likes of them.
• The likes of you have caused enough trouble.

How to use it: the likes of someone (I would never trust the likes of him.)

Similar words: people like that, that sort

Common phrases: someone and their like, someone and the like

A person or thing similar to another, or belonging to the same kind.

• We had never seen its like.
• The town may never see her like again.
• Replace the broken part with its like.

How to use it: the like of someone/something (I have never seen the like of this machine.)

Similar words: equal, counterpart, match

Common phrases: someone’s like, the like of something, like for like

In golf, a shot that brings your total number of shots level with your opponent’s.

• It is my turn to play the like.
• His opponent played the like from the rough.
• She was playing the like after his third stroke.

Common phrases: play the like, the like stroke