Dictionary
like
Pronunciation: (līk), [key]
—adj., (Poetic) lik•er, lik•est,
—prep., adv., conj., n., v., liked, lik•ing,
—interj.
—
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. Dial.likely:
'Tis like that he's gone mad.
5. Dial.about:
The poor chap seemed like to run away.
6. something like, Informal.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. like anything, Informal.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. Informal.likely or probably:
Like enough he'll come with us. Like as not her leg is broken.
3. Nonstandard.
a. as it were; in a way; somehow.
b. 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. Informal.(used esp. after forms of
beto 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. the like,something of a similar nature:
They grow oranges, lemons, and the like.
4. the like or likes of, someone or something similar to; the equal of:
I've never seen the like of it anywhere.
—
v.i.
like to or liked to, South Midland and Southern U.S.was on the verge of or came close to (doing something):
The poor kid like to froze.
—
interj.
Informal.(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., liked, lik•ing,
—n.
—
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. Archaic.to suit the tastes or wishes; please.
3. would like. See
would (def. 10).
—
n.
Usually,
likes. the things a person likes:
a long list of likes and dislikes. -like
a suffixal use of
like 1 in the formation of adjectives (
childlike; lifelike), sometimes hyphenated.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
