like Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a similar kind
    the likes of; the like.
    • dogs, foxes, and the like", "we don't want the likes of you around here
  2. noun a kind of person
    ilk.
    • We'll not see his like again
    • I can't tolerate people of his ilk
  3. verb prefer or wish to do something
    wish; care.
    • Do you care to try this dish?
    • Would you like to come along to the movies?
  4. verb find enjoyable or agreeable
    • I like jogging
    • She likes to read Russian novels
  5. verb be fond of
    • I like my nephews
  6. verb feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard
    • How did you like the President's speech last night?
  7. verb want to have
    • I'd like a beer now!
  8. adjective resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination
    similar.
    • suits of like design
    • a limited circle of like minds
    • members of the cat family have like dispositions
    • as like as two peas in a pod
    • doglike devotion
    • a dreamlike quality
  9. adjective equal in amount or value
    same.
    • like amounts
    • equivalent amounts
    • the same amount
    • gave one six blows and the other a like number
    • the same number
  10. adjective having the same or similar characteristics
    similar; alike.
    • all politicians are alike
    • they looked utterly alike
    • friends are generally alike in background and taste
  11. adjective satellite conforming in every respect
    comparable; corresponding.
    • boxes with corresponding dimensions
    • the like period of the preceding year

WordNet

Like adjective
Etymology
OE. lik, ilik, gelic, AS. gelic, fr. pref. ge- + lic body, and orig. meaning, having the same body, shape, or appearance, and hence, like; akin to OS. gilik, D. gelijk, G. gleich, OHG. gilih, Icel. likr, glikr, Dan. lig, Sw. lik, Goth. galeiks, OS. lik body, D. lijk, G. leiche, Icel. lik, Sw. lik, Goth. leik. The English adverbial ending-ly is from the same adjective. Cf. Each, Such, Which.
Wordforms
comparative Liker ; superlative Likest
Definitions
  1. Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; -- often with in and the particulars of the resemblance; as, they are like each other in features, complexion, and many traits of character.
    'The as like you As cherry is to cherry. Shak.
    Like master, like man. Old Prov.
    He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. Ps. cxlvii. 16.
    ✍ To, which formerly often followed like, is now usually omitted.
  2. Equal, or nearly equal; as, fields of like extent.
    More clergymen were impoverished by the late war than ever in the like space before. Sprat.
  3. Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely. [Likely is more used now.] Shak.
    But it is like the jolly world about us will scoff at the paradox of these practices. South.
    Many were not easy to be governed, nor like to conform themselves to strict rules. Clarendon.
  4. Inclined toward; disposed to; as, to feel like taking a walk.
    Had like to have been my utter overthrow. Sir W. Raleigh
    Ramona had like to have said the literal truth, . . . but recollected herself in time. Mrs. H. H. Jackson.
    ✍ Like is used as a suffix, converting nouns into adjectives expressing resemblance to the noun; as, manlike, like a man; childlike, like a child; godlike, like a god, etc. Such compounds are readily formed whenever convenient, and several, as crescentlike, serpentlike, hairlike, etc., are used in this book, although, in some cases, not entered in the vocabulary. Such combinations as bell-like, ball-like, etc., are hyphened.
Like noun
Definitions
  1. That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy.
    He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again. Shak.
  2. A liking; a preference; inclination; -- usually in pl.; as, we all have likes and dislikes.
Like adverb
Etymology
AS. gelice. See Like, a.
Definitions
  1. In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him.
    He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. Job xii. 25.
    ✍ Like, as here used, is regarded by some grammarians as a preposition.
  2. In a like or similar manner. Shak.
    Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Ps. ciii. 13.
  3. Likely; probably. "Like enough it will." Shak.
Like transitive verb
Etymology
OE. liken to please, AS. lician, gelician, fr.gelic. See Like, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Liked ; present participle & verbal noun Liking
Definitions
  1. To suit; to please; to be agreeable to. Obs.
    Cornwall him liked best, therefore he chose there. R. of Gloucester.
    I willingly confess that it likes me much better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature. Sir P. Sidney.
  2. To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy.
    He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving. Sir P. Sidney.
  3. To liken; to compare.Obs.
    Like me to the peasant boys of France. Shak.
Like intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be pleased; to choose.
    He may either go or stay, as he best likes. Locke.
  2. To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition). Obs.
    You like well, and bear your years very well. Shak.
  3. To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly; as, he liked to have been too late. Cf. Had like, under Like, a. Colloq.
    He probably got his death, as he liked to have done two years ago, by viewing the troops for the expedition from the wall of Kensington Garden. Walpole.
    Massinger.

Webster 1913