like

1 /laIk/ preposition

1 similar in some way to something else: My mother has a car like yours. | He crawled out of the hut on his belly, like a snake. | very like: He's very like his brother. | look/sound/feel/taste/seem like: The building looked like a church. | At last he felt like a real soldier. | just like (=exactly like): She was just like all the other girls. | like new (=in perfect condition): The carpet just needs a good clean and it'll be like new.

2 nothing like/anything like used to say that something is not at all similar to something else, or to ask whether it is similar: The course was nothing like what I'd expected. | Was the film anything like the book?

3 like this/like so spoken used when you are showing someone how to do something: You have to fold the corners back, like so.

4 typical of a particular person: It's not like Steven to be late.

5 what is sb/sth like? used when asking someone to describe or give their opinion of a person or thing: Have you met the new boss? What's he like?

6 for example: far-off countries like Australia and China | nutritious foods like eggs and fish

7 something like not much more or less than a particular amount; about: The machinery alone will cost something like thirty thousand pounds.

8 more like used when giving an amount or number that you think is more accurate than one that has been mentioned: The builders say they'll be finished in three months, but I think it'll be more like six.

9 there's nothing like spoken used to say that a particular thing is the best: There's nothing like a nice cup of tea!

10 that's more like it spoken used to tell someone that what they are doing or suggesting is more satisfactory than what they did or suggested before

2 verb (transitive not usually in progressive)

1 to enjoy something or think that it is nice: I like your new dress. | Bill doesn't like Chinese food. | like sth best (=prefer it): Which of these colours do you like best? | like doing sth: I like swimming, playing tennis, and things like that. | like to do sth: I like to see the children enjoying themselves. | like sth about sth/sb: What I like about this job is the flexibility. | like it: I don't like it when you look at me like that! | It was a great place for a vacation. You'd have liked it there. | like the idea/thought of (doing) sth: Sandra didn't like the idea of being so far from home. | like the look/sound of: I don't like the look of that black cloud over there. We'd better go in. | get to like sth informal (=begin to like it): I don't think I'll ever get to like modern art.

2 to think that someone is nice or enjoy being with them: I don't think he likes me - he never talks to me.

3 to prefer that something is done in one particular way or at one particular time rather than another: like sth: "How do you like your coffee?" "Black, please." | I like films with action in them. None of this boring romantic stuff.

4 to think that it is good to do something, so that you do it regularly or want other people to do it regularly: like to do sth: I always like to get up early in the summer. | like sb to do sth: We like our students to take a full part in college social and sports activities.

5 not like to do sth/not like doing sth especially BrE to not want to do something because you do not feel it is polite, fair, nice etc: I don't like bothering him when he's busy.

6 to approve of something or have a good opinion of it: I really didn't like the way he avoided giving us direct answers. | like sb doing sth: Claus doesn't like anyone arguing with him. | like sb to do sth: I'd like you to be honest with me.

7 I'd like used to say what you want: I'd like sth: I'd like a cheeseburger. | I'd like you/John etc to do sth: I'd like her to be at tomorrow's meeting.

8 would you like ...?

a) used to ask someone if they want something: would you like sth: Would you like some more cake? | would you like to do sth?: Well, would you like to come shopping with me? | would you like me/her etc to do sth?: Would you like me to pick you up in the morning?

b) also How would you like ...? used to offer someone something that someone does not expect, but that you know they will like: (How) would you like to do sth?: How would you like to go to the camp in the mountains this summer?

9 would like used to express politely what you want to happen or do: We'd really like a holiday in Italy, but it's so expensive. | would like to do: I'd just like to comment on a few things that were said. | would like sb to do: We'd like you to come in for a second interview on Monday, if possible. | would like (to have) sth done: I'd like to have the report finished by tomorrow.

10 if you like especially BrE

a) used to suggest or offer something: If you like, I could go with you to the doctor's.

b) used to agree to something, even if it is not what you want yourself: "Can we have spaghetti tonight?" "If you like."

c) used to suggest one possible way of describing something or someone: This experience was, if you like, a door that opened up a whole new world.

11 whatever/anything etc you like especially BrE whatever you want: "Which play shall we go to see?" "Oh, whichever you like." | Come and stay with us for as long as you like.

12 I like that!

a) used to say that you like what someone has said, shown you etc: "That's a great story!" he said, roaring with laughter, "I really like that!"

b) especially BrE used to say that what someone has said or done is rude and unfair: "I thought you were older than her." "Well, I like that!"

13 how would you like ...?

a) used to ask someone if they want something, especially when you already know they want it: how would you like sth?: How would you like a cup of coffee? | how would you like to do sth?: Say, how would you like to go to Italy next summer?

b) used to ask someone to imagine how they would feel if something bad happened to them instead of to you or someone else: how would you like it if?: How would you like it if you got home to find you'd been burgled? | How would you like sb doing sth?: How would you like your boss calling you an idiot?

14

a) how do you like? used to ask someone for their opinion of something: How do you like my new jacket?

b) how do you like that? used to ask someone what they think after you have done something or told them something surprising, unpleasant etc

15 (whether you) like it or not used to emphasize that something unpleasant is true or will happen and cannot be changed: You're coming to your grandparents' today whether you like it or not!

16 I'd like to see you/him do sth used to say that you do not believe someone can do something: I'd like to see you run as fast as that!

17 I'd like to think/believe (that)

a) used to say that you wish or hope something is true, when you are not sure that it is: I'd like to believe that one day he'll be well enough to lead a normal life.

b) used to say that you think you do something well, especially when you do not want to make yourself seem better than other people: I'd like to think that my work is as good as anybody's here.

3 noun

1 sb's likes and dislikes all the things you like and do not like: All the children have their likes and dislikes when it comes to food.

2 and the like and similar things: He was interested in natural disasters, such as volcanoes, earthquakes and the like.

3 the like of sb/sth also sb's/sth's like something similar to someone or a particular person or thing, or of equal importance or value: He gave a superb performance, the like of which has never been seen since. | The man was a genius. We shall not see his like again.

4 the likes of spoken

a) used to talk about someone you do not like: I'd never vote for the likes of him!

b) used to talk about people of a particular type or social class: Those expensive restaurants with fancy food aren't for the likes of us.

4 adjective (only before a noun) formal

1 similar in some way: They understand each other because they are of like mind.

2 be like to do sth old use to be likely to do something

5 conjunction especially spoken

1 in the same way as: Don't talk to me like you talk to a child.

2 like I say/said used when you are repeating something that you have already said: Like I said, I don't mind helping out on the day.

3 as if: I acted like I couldn't see them.

6 adverb spoken

1 used in speech to fill a pause while you are thinking what to say next: This bloke will look at it for me, like, and he'll tell me what it needs.

2 as like as not/like enough probably: The car will be written off as like as not.