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.
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)