like: Meaning and Definition of

like

Pronunciation: (līk), [key]
— adj., prep., adv., conj., n., v., interj. lik•er, lik•est, liked, lik•ing,
—adj.
  1. of the same form, appearance, kind, character, amount, etc.: I cannot remember a like instance.
  2. corresponding or agreeing in general or in some noticeable respect; similar; analogous: drawing, painting, and like arts.
  3. bearing resemblance.
  4. likely: 'Tis like that he's gone mad.
  5. about: The poor chap seemed like to run away.
  6. something approaching or approximating: It looked something like this.
—prep.
  1. in like manner with; similarly to; in the manner characteristic of: He works like a beaver.
  2. resembling (someone or something): He is just like his father. Your necklace is just like mine.
  3. characteristic of: It would be like him to forget our appointment.
  4. as if there is promise of; indicative of: It looks like rain.
  5. as if someone or something gives promise of being: She looks like a good prospect for the job.
  6. disposed or inclined to (usually prec. by feel): to feel like going to bed.
  7. similar or comparable to: There is nothing like a cold drink of water when one is thirsty. What was he like?
  8. (used correlatively to indicate similarity through relationship): like father, like son.
  9. (used to establish an intensifying, often facetious, comparison): sleeping like a log.
  10. as; such as: There are numerous hobbies you might enjoy, like photography or painting.
  11. very much; extremely; with great intensity: He wanted like anything to win.
—adv.
  1. nearly; closely; approximately: The house is more like 40 than 20 years old.
  2. likely or probably: Like enough he'll come with us. Like as not her leg is broken.
  3. standing against the wall, looking very tough like.
    1. as it were; in a way; somehow.
    2. to a degree; more or less:standing against the wall, looking very tough like.
—conj.
  1. in the same way as; just as; as: It happened like you might expect it would.
  2. as if: He acted like he was afraid. The car runs like new.
  3. (used esp. after forms ofto introduce reported speech or thought): She's like, "I don't believe it," and I'm like, "No, it's true!"
—n.
  1. a similar or comparable person or thing, or like persons or things; counterpart, match, or equal (usually prec. by a possessive adjective or the): No one has seen his like in a long time. Like attracts like.
  2. kind; sort; type; ilk (usually prec. by a possessive adjective): I despise moochers and their like.
  3. something of a similar nature: They grow oranges, lemons, and the like.
  4. someone or something similar to; the equal of: I've never seen the like of it anywhere.
—v.i.
  1. was on the verge of or came close to (doing something): The poor kid like to froze.
—interj.
  1. (used esp. in speech, often nonvolitionally or habitually, to preface a sentence, to fill a pause, to express uncertainty, or to intensify or neutralize a following adjective): Like, why didn't you write to me? The music was, like, really great, you know?

like

Pronunciation: (līk), [key]
— v., n. liked, lik•ing,
—v.t.
  1. to take pleasure in; find agreeable or congenial: We all liked the concert.
  2. to regard with favor; have a kindly or friendly feeling for (a person, group, etc.); find attractive: His parents like me and I like them.
  3. to wish or prefer: You can do exactly as you like while you are a guest here.
—v.i.
  1. to feel inclined; wish: We'll have lunch whenever you like.
  2. to suit the tastes or wishes; please.
  3. See(def. 10).
—n.
  1. Usually,the things a person likes: a long list of likes and dislikes.

-like

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. a suffixal use of in the formation of adjectives (childlike; lifelike), sometimes hyphenated.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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