ike
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To find something agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory; to have a positive feeling toward something or someone.
To want, desire, or prefer; to feel inclined toward; (in social media) to express approval of an online post by clicking a button.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core sense is positive feeling, which extends to desire ('I'd like a coffee') and the weaker sense of tolerating ('I don't like it, but I accept it'). It is one of the most common and polysemous verbs in English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. In informal British English, 'like' can be used more readily as a filler ('It was, like, amazing'), a usage now common in American English too. Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Identical. The social media 'like' carries the same connotations globally.
Frequency
Equally high-frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
like + noun/pronoun (I like cats.)like + -ing form (I like swimming.)like + to-infinitive (I like to swim.)like + object + to-infinitive (I like you to be honest.)like + wh-clause (See how you like it.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like it or lump it”
- “if you like”
- “like-minded”
- “the likes of”
- “and the like”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in expressing preferences for strategies, products, or candidates. ('The client likes the proposal.')
Academic
Used to indicate scholarly appreciation or alignment with a theory. ('Kuhn liked this paradigm.')
Everyday
Ubiquitous for expressing preferences, enjoyment, and desires in all social contexts.
Technical
In computing/social media, refers to a binary user engagement metric.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I really like this programme.
- Would you like a biscuit with your tea?
- She doesn't like driving on the left.
American English
- I really like this show.
- Would you like a cookie with your coffee?
- She doesn't like driving on freeways.
adverb
British English
- It was, like, totally unexpected.
- The animal moved like lightning.
American English
- I was, like, 'no way!'
- He runs like the wind.
adjective
British English
- They are of like mind on the issue.
- I've never seen the like of it!
American English
- They are of like mind on the issue.
- We avoided reporters and the like.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like apples.
- She likes her teacher.
- Do you like football?
- I like watching films at the weekend.
- He would like to visit New York.
- What's the weather like in your country?
- I don't like the way he spoke to me.
- If you don't like the rules, you can leave.
- It looks like it's going to rain.
- Critics of the policy are likely to be people like us.
- The new software behaves more like an assistant than a tool.
- I'd like you to consider the implications carefully.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LIKE sounds like 'light' – when you LIKE something, your face LIGHTs up.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITIVE EMOTION IS WARMTH / ATTRACTION (e.g., 'warm to someone', 'drawn to an idea').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing 'like' (нравиться) with 'similar to' (похожий на). They are different words.
- Do not use the infinitive after 'like' to express a single future preference. Use 'would like' (хотел бы). 'I like to go' ≠ 'I would like to go'.
- 'How do you like...?' asks for an opinion, not a method.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'like' + infinitive for specific desires: Incorrect: 'I like to have a tea.' Correct: 'I would like a tea.'
- Incorrect object pronoun in Russian-influenced structures: Incorrect: 'I like very much it.' Correct: 'I like it very much.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'like' as a preposition?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Like' expresses a general preference or enjoyment. 'Would like' is a polite way to express a specific desire or want, often for something in the immediate future.
No. Adverbs like 'very much' usually go at the end of the clause or after the auxiliary verb. Correct: 'I like it very much.' or 'I very much like it.'
Often interchangeable. A subtle difference: 'like doing' emphasizes enjoyment of the activity itself. 'Like to do' can suggest choosing or believing it is a good habit. ('I like to brush my teeth twice a day.')
Yes, informally, especially in the plural 'likes', referring to things one enjoys or, in social media, to approvals. ('We share the same likes and dislikes.', 'The post got a thousand likes.')