Like is one of the most frequently used words in English, functioning in five grammatical roles: as a verb it means to find something pleasant or enjoyable; as a preposition it means similar to or in the same way as; as a conjunction it introduces a clause meaning as if or in the way that; as an adjective it means similar or of the same kind; and as a noun it refers to a preference or something comparable.
What Does Like Mean?
As a verb, like means to find something pleasant, enjoyable, or satisfying. It is followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form: I like jazz. She likes swimming. Do you like him? In British English it can also be followed by a to-infinitive: I like to plan ahead. Because like is a stative verb (it describes a state of feeling, not an action), it is not normally used in continuous tenses in formal English.
As a preposition, like means similar to or in the manner of. It is followed by a noun or pronoun, never a full clause: She swims like a fish. He looks like his father. It smells like rain. This is by far the most common use after the verb sense.
As a conjunction, like introduces a clause and means as if or in the way that: It feels like the summer will never end. He spoke like he knew everything. This use is common in informal speech and writing, but in formal contexts as if or as though is preferred.
As an adjective, like means of a similar kind or nature. It appears mainly in formal or literary contexts: birds of a like feather; people of like mind. It can also function as a predicate adjective: The two situations are not like at all.
As a noun, like usually appears in the plural to mean preferences or things one enjoys (her likes and dislikes), or it refers to something comparable (I have never met his like). In digital contexts, a like is a button-press indicating approval on social media.
Etymology
The word like has two distinct Old English roots that merged over time. The adjective and preposition senses come from Old English gelic (meaning similar, equal), related to Dutch gelijk and German gleich. The verb sense comes from Old English lician (meaning to please, to be pleasing to), which itself derived from Proto-Germanic *likōną. By the Middle English period both strands had converged into the single form like that English speakers use today. The prefix dis- was added to form dislike in the 16th century, and likewise and likelihood both preserve the original sense of similarity. See Cambridge Dictionary's full entry on “like” for more examples.
Example Sentences by Level
| Sentence | Level & note |
|---|---|
| I like chocolate ice cream. | A2 — verb + noun, basic preference |
| She likes to read English novels to expand her vocabulary naturally. | B1 — verb + to-infinitive, British English preference structure |
| The city centre was quiet, like a ghost town on a Sunday morning. | B1 — preposition introducing noun phrase comparison |
| It felt like the whole world had changed overnight, though nothing was different on the surface. | B2 — conjunction + clause, subjective perception |
| Musicians of like temperament tend to collaborate most productively, as their creative instincts naturally align. | C1 — adjective use in formal/literary register |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| would like | I would like a table for two, please. |
| feel like | Do you feel like going for a walk? |
| look like | It looks like rain. |
| sound like | That sounds like a great idea. |
| taste like | This coffee tastes like burnt rubber. |
| really like | I really like the new design. |
| like the idea of | She liked the idea of working from home. |
| nothing like | There is nothing like a hot bath after a long day. |
| just like | He plays guitar just like his grandfather did. |
| likes and dislikes | Tell me about your likes and dislikes. |
Usage Notes
Key Points for Learners
Like vs. as: Use like before a noun or pronoun (She works like a machine). Use as before a clause with a verb (She works as a doctor does). In informal speech like often replaces as, but in formal writing keep the distinction.
Like vs. enjoy: Both express pleasure, but enjoy requires a noun or gerund and implies direct experience (I enjoyed the film). Like expresses general preference and can use a gerund or to-infinitive (I like watching films / I like to watch films).
Stative verb warning: Do not use like in the present continuous for formal writing. Prefer I like this over I am liking this. However, in marketing language (I'm loving it) and social media, continuous forms are widely used informally.
'Would like' for polite requests: Would like is the polite equivalent of want and is essential for service situations, emails, and formal speech: I would like to make an appointment.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I am liking this book very much. (avoid continuous for stative verbs in formal writing)
I like this book very much.
She runs like she is a professional athlete. (informal conjunction — avoid in formal writing)
She runs as if she were a professional athlete. (formal written English)
I like of swimming every morning. (incorrect preposition after like)
I like swimming every morning. (like + gerund, no preposition)
He wants a coffee. (neutral/blunt in a service context)
He would like a coffee. (polite register)
Related Words
Practise This Word
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Frequently Asked Questions about “like”
What does like mean in English?
Like has several meanings depending on its grammatical role. As a verb it means to find something pleasant or enjoyable: 'I like coffee.' As a preposition it means similar to: 'She runs like the wind.' As a conjunction it means as if or in the way that: 'It feels like it might rain.' As an adjective it means similar: 'birds of a like feather.' As a noun it refers to a preference or something similar: 'his likes and dislikes.'
What is the difference between like and as?
Like is a preposition followed by a noun or pronoun: 'She sings like a professional.' As is a conjunction followed by a clause with a verb: 'She sings as a professional does.' In informal speech many native speakers use like where as is grammatically correct, but in formal writing the distinction is important.
How do you use like as a verb?
As a verb, like is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form): 'I like jazz,' 'She likes swimming,' 'Do you like him?' It can also be followed by a to-infinitive in British English: 'I like to start early.' Avoid saying 'I am liking it' in formal writing — like is a stative verb and is not normally used in continuous tenses.
Can like be used as a conjunction?
Yes, though this is more common in informal English. 'It looks like it is going to rain' uses like as a conjunction introducing a clause. In formal writing, 'as if' or 'as though' is preferred: 'It looks as though it is going to rain.'
What is the difference between like and enjoy?
Both like and enjoy express positive feelings, but enjoy implies active participation: 'I enjoyed the concert' (I was there). Like can express a more general preference without implying you experienced the thing: 'I like classical music' (in general). Enjoy is always followed by a noun or gerund, not a to-infinitive.
Is like a stative verb?
Yes. Like is a stative verb because it describes a state (a feeling or preference) rather than an action. This means it is not normally used in continuous tenses. Say 'I like this song' rather than 'I am liking this song.' The exception is informal speech or social-media language, where 'I'm loving it' style forms are increasingly accepted.
What are common collocations with like?
Common collocations with like as a verb include: like very much, really like, would like, like the idea, like the sound of. As a preposition: feel like, look like, sound like, smell like, taste like, act like, work like. These combinations are extremely common in everyday English.
What is the origin of the word like?
Like comes from Old English 'gelic' meaning 'similar, equal' (related to German 'gleich'). The verb sense 'to find pleasing' developed from Old English 'lician' meaning 'to please.' Both strands merged in Middle English. The preposition and conjunction senses evolved from comparisons of similarity: something 'equal to' something else gradually became 'resembling' it.
What is 'would like' and how is it used?
'Would like' is a polite way to express a desire or make a request. It is more formal and polite than 'want': 'I would like a coffee, please.' It is followed by a noun or a to-infinitive: 'She would like to speak to the manager.' 'Would like' is essential for polite English in service situations, emails, and formal conversation.
How can I practise using like in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise like in different grammatical roles, or use the Flash Cards tool to test vocabulary including like and related words such as alike, dislike, likeness, and likewise. Pay attention to whether like is used as a verb, preposition, or conjunction whenever you read English texts.