like
/laɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [lˈaɪk] /laɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [lˈaɪk] /ˈlīk/ (ame, mw)
like — verb
- likepresent simple I / you / we / they
- likes3rd person singular
- liking-ing form
- likedpast simple
1. to feel pleased by someone or something, or to think they are good.
to feel pleased by someone or something, or to think they are good.
Elise likes the small bakery near school because the bread is warm.
likes + noun for general preference
Wei likes swimming at dawn when the public pool is quiet.
likes + -ing form for an activity
Diego likes Roya's paintings and bought one for his office wall.
The children like rainy days when they can build forts indoors.
文法句型
like + noun
like + -ing form
用法筆記
Use this sense for general taste, enjoyment, or friendly approval. It commonly takes a noun or an -ing form.
常見錯誤
2. to show public approval of online content by pressing a like button.
to show public approval of online content by pressing a like button.
Meera liked the museum's post about free tickets within seconds.
like + post on social media
Christopher never likes prank videos from accounts he does not trust.
The school club asked members to like the poster before lunch.
After the match, thousands liked Quan's photo of the winning goal.
- ignore
gives no visible response to the content
文法句型
like + post
like + photo
like + page
用法筆記
The subject is usually a person or account, and the object is a post, photo, page, or comment. Distinguish from sense 1: this is a visible online action, not a private feeling.
常見錯誤
3. used with would for a polite request for something, or for the chance to do an a
used with would for a polite request for something, or for the chance to do an action.
Ilan would like a seat by the window on the early train.
would like + noun for a polite request
Asher would like to speak to the nurse after the test.
would like + to-infinitive
Iker would like some cold water before the meeting begins.
Alessia would like to visit Tainan again during the winter holiday.
- want
more direct and less polite in many situations
文法句型
would like + noun
would like + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This polite sense normally appears with would. Distinguish from sense 4, which asks someone else to do something.
常見錯誤
4. used with would to ask or tell someone politely to do something.
used with would to ask or tell someone politely to do something.
The manager would like Wei to send the report before noon.
would like + object + to-infinitive
Our guide would like the group to stay near the gate.
Meera would like her son to call when he reaches Taipei.
The coach would like everyone to warm up on the track.
文法句型
would like + object + to-infinitive
用法筆記
The key pattern is would like + person or group + to-infinitive. Sense 3 expresses your own wish, while this sense directs another person or group.
常見錯誤
5. to prefer or judge someone or something in a certain state or way.
to prefer or judge someone or something in a certain state or way.
How do you like your coffee, dark or with milk?
How do you like + noun?
Ilan likes the office quiet during client calls.
like + object + adjective
The chef likes the plates warmed before serving dinner.
Diego liked the first plan better after he saw the budget.
文法句型
like + object + adjective
How do you like + noun?
用法筆記
This sense often focuses on a preferred condition or on an evaluative reaction. Distinguish from sense 1, which is broader general enjoyment.
like — preposition
1. used to say that two people, things, or actions are similar.
used to say that two people, things, or actions are similar.
This sofa looks like the one in Wei's grandmother's flat.
look like + noun
Roya runs like her older sister, with quick short steps.
verb + like + person for manner
The soup tastes like fresh tomatoes and garden herbs.
At dusk, the island looked like a blue shadow on water.
- similar to
more formal and less flexible than like
- as
used differently because it often names a role rather than a comparison
文法句型
like + noun
like + pronoun
用法筆記
Use this sense for similarity in appearance, manner, sound, taste, or another quality. Distinguish from sense 2, which suggests that a whole situation may be true.
2. used to say that something seems as if a situation is true.
used to say that something seems as if a situation is true.
It looks like rain, so Quan packed a coat.
looks like + likely event
It sounds like Diego forgot his keys outside the studio.
sounds like + clause idea
The kitchen smelled like someone had baked bread all morning.
After midnight, the street felt like the whole city was asleep.
- as if
often introduces a fuller clause and sounds a little more formal
文法句型
look like + clause idea
sound like + clause idea
用法筆記
This sense often follows look, sound, smell, or feel and points to an impression about a situation, not just simple similarity.
3. used to say that a behaviour or feature is what you expect from someone or somet
used to say that a behaviour or feature is what you expect from someone or something.
Forgetting the map was just like Christopher on a hiking trip.
just like + person for expected behaviour
The sudden storm was like spring in the north hills.
A handwritten note is like Roya after every family visit.
Winning by one point was like this stubborn old team.
- typical of
more formal and direct
- just what you'd expect from
longer and more explicit than like
文法句型
be like + person/place
just like + person
用法筆記
This sense points to a person's usual style or a place's usual character. Sense 1 only says two things are similar; this sense says the behaviour fits the person or place.
4. used before examples of the kind of thing you mean.
used before examples of the kind of thing you mean.
We packed snacks like oranges, rice balls, and cheese rolls.
like + list of examples
Quiet sports like chess and archery suit Meera best.
Museum passes cover places like the aquarium and science hall.
Roya enjoys soft colours like cream, sage, and pale blue.
- such as
a little more formal but very close in meaning
- for example
often works at sentence level rather than directly before a noun
文法句型
like + example list
用法筆記
This sense introduces examples from a larger group. It does not mean that the items are merely similar; it means they belong in the group you are naming.
5. used before a number or amount to show that it is not exact.
used before a number or amount to show that it is not exact.
The bus ride takes like twenty minutes when traffic is light.
like + number for rough estimate
We spent like three thousand dollars fixing the old roof.
There were like forty umbrellas outside the concert hall.
Diego waited like half an hour for the rain to stop.
文法句型
like + number
like + amount of time
用法筆記
This casual sense often appears in speech before numbers or measures. Distinguish from sense 4, which introduces examples rather than rough amounts.
like — adverb
1. used before words that repeat what someone said, thought, or felt when something
used before words that repeat what someone said, thought, or felt when something happened.
The lights went out, and Wei was like, "Who touched the switch?"
be like, quote for immediate reaction
Diego opened the bill and was like, "That cannot be right."
When the dog jumped in, Roya was like, "Oh no."
I dropped the cake, and my sister was like, "Start again."
文法句型
be like, "..."
用法筆記
This spoken sense introduces an immediate reaction or approximate quote. It is much more casual than said or thought.
2. used in casual speech to pause briefly, or to strengthen the adjective that foll
used in casual speech to pause briefly, or to strengthen the adjective that follows.
The film was like so sad that nobody spoke afterward.
like before an intensifier
I was like really tired after the red-eye flight home.
be like + adverb + adjective
The coffee was like unbelievably bitter without any sugar.
The room was like super quiet after the alarm stopped.
文法句型
like + adjective
be like + adverb + adjective
用法筆記
This sense belongs to casual speech. It often adds hesitation or emphasis, and it is less suitable in formal writing.
like — noun
- likesingular
- likesplural
1. a person or thing that is similar to the one already mentioned.
a person or thing that is similar to the one already mentioned.
We had never seen the like of that orange sunset before.
the like of + unusual thing
This old theatre may never host her like again.
The town had not known the like of such heavy snow.
Few painters of his like worked with both wood and glass.
- equal
stresses matching ability or quality rather than simple similarity
- counterpart
usually refers to a matching person or thing in another place or system
文法句型
the like of + noun
someone's like
用法筆記
This sense is uncommon and often appears in fixed patterns such as the like of. It refers to a comparable person or thing, not to personal preferences.
2. people or things similar to those already mentioned.
people or things similar to those already mentioned.
The drawer held string, buttons, coins, and the like.
and the like after a short list
Students brought markers, tape, and the like for the fair.
Old letters, maps, and the like filled the wooden chest.
The shop sells candles, soap, and the like near the door.
- and similar things
more direct and less fixed as a phrase
- and so on
broader and not limited to similar items
文法句型
and the like
用法筆記
This phrase comes after a few examples and points to other similar items in the same group.
3. the things that a person enjoys or prefers.
the things that a person enjoys or prefers.
The survey asked guests about their likes before dinner was planned.
ask about someone's likes
Wei's likes include old trains, sour candy, and quiet beaches.
someone's likes include + list
Dating apps often match people by shared likes and dislikes.
The coach learned the team's likes before choosing travel snacks.
- preferences
more formal and often broader than likes
- tastes
often used for style, food, or art rather than any preference
- dislikes
the opposite list of things a person does not enjoy
文法句型
likes and dislikes
someone's likes include
用法筆記
Usually plural. It often appears when you are listing tastes, hobbies, or preferred kinds of food, music, or activities.
4. people from the kind of group already being talked about, especially in the phra
people from the kind of group already being talked about, especially in the phrase the likes of.
Luxury clubs were not built for the likes of us.
the likes of + pronoun
The company rarely listens to the likes of junior staff.
She never expected the likes of Diego to visit the village.
Awards like that seldom go to the likes of small local bands.
- people like
more neutral and less loaded in tone
文法句型
the likes of + pronoun/noun
用法筆記
This phrase often carries an attitude about social status, ability, or suitability. Distinguish from sense 1, which names a similar person or thing rather than a social type.
5. a single sign of approval on social media, shown by pressing a like button.
a single sign of approval on social media, shown by pressing a like button.
The charity video got five thousand likes before midnight.
get + number + likes
Iker laughed when his joke earned more likes than the photo.
The bakery checks which posts get the most likes each week.
One angry comment can still get hundreds of likes online.
文法句型
get likes
a like on a post
用法筆記
This noun counts individual signs of online approval. Distinguish from sense 2 of the verb, which describes the action of pressing the button.
like — adjective
- likepositive
- likercomparative
- likestsuperlative
1. similar to something else, or almost the same as it.
similar to something else, or almost the same as it.
The boxes are of like size, so either shelf will hold them.
of like size
The twins came from families of like background and values.
Two villages of like character face the same water shortage.
The contracts use like language in every payment section.
- different
the general opposite
文法句型
of like size
of like character
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than the preposition like. It often appears in phrases such as of like size or like language.
2. having similar opinions, interests, or ways of thinking.
having similar opinions, interests, or ways of thinking.
People of like mind met after class to plan the protest.
people of like mind
Roya joined a club where artists of like mind shared tools.
Scientists of like mind worked on the clean-water design together.
He felt calmer after talking to friends of like mind.
- like-minded
the more common modern adjective
- in agreement
can fit one point of view rather than a broad shared outlook
- divided
suggests important differences in opinion
文法句型
of like mind
people of like mind
用法筆記
This phrase is usually used about groups of people who share beliefs or interests. It is more formal than like-minded.
3. having the same electric or magnetic charge.
having the same electric or magnetic charge.
Like poles push each other apart when the magnets get close.
like poles in magnetism
The teacher showed that like charges do not stay together.
In the experiment, like charges sent the paper pieces sideways.
The two magnets jumped apart because like poles were facing.
- same-charged
descriptive but less standard than like in this technical phrase
- opposite
used for different poles or charges that attract
文法句型
like poles
like charges
用法筆記
This sense belongs to physics and magnetism. It is not about personal similarity or agreement.
4. liable or expected to do something; likely.
liable or expected to do something; likely.
The narrow bridge is like to close in heavy rain.
be like to + infinitive
Without water, the seedlings are like to die by noon.
Prices are like to rise again after the holiday week.
If you wait longer, the fish is like to spoil.
- likely
the normal modern adjective for this meaning
- unlikely
the usual opposite in modern English
文法句型
be like to + infinitive
用法筆記
This pattern is rare and old-fashioned in modern English. Most learners will meet likely instead, but the source still records like in this use.