likes
likes — verb
1. the third-person singular present form used when one person feels positive about
the third-person singular present form used when one person feels positive about someone or something, or gets pleasure from an activity.
Amani likes walking by the river before work on warm mornings.
likes + -ing form for a regular activity
Christopher likes spicy noodles but avoids very sweet desserts.
likes + noun object for personal taste
Diya likes science because school experiments feel like puzzles.
The new puppy likes Cole and follows him around the garden.
文法句型
likes + noun
likes + -ing form
likes + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This is the everyday third-person singular form for tastes, hobbies, and friendly feelings. It can be followed by a noun, an -ing form, or a to-infinitive. For one polite request or wish, English usually uses 'would like' rather than plain 'likes'.
常見錯誤
2. the third-person singular present form used when an account shows approval of an
the third-person singular present form used when an account shows approval of an online post, photo, or comment by pressing the platform's like button.
Esme likes every photo her cousin posts from the night market.
likes + photo on a social platform
The school account likes student artwork before sharing it on Instagram.
account subject + likes + content
Rafael rarely likes political posts unless he has read the article.
After the concert, Hyun likes the drummer's video from three accounts.
- reacts to
broader; can include other emoji responses besides a like
- upvotes
used on some platforms with voting systems rather than like buttons
- favourites
platform-specific; often means saving as well as showing approval
文法句型
likes + post
likes + photo
likes + comment
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person, group, or brand account, and the object is digital content. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes a visible action on a platform, not a private feeling.
常見錯誤
likes — noun
1. the things that a person enjoys or chooses gladly, especially when talking about
the things that a person enjoys or chooses gladly, especially when talking about personal taste or habits.
The survey asked guests about their likes before planning the menu.
ask about + likes for personal preferences
Ishaan's likes include old maps, strong tea, and long train journeys.
someone's likes include + list
On the first day, Adina shared her likes and dislikes with the class.
The travel agent noted the family's likes when suggesting holiday activities.
- preferences
slightly more neutral and often used in forms or business settings
- favourites
stronger; points to the things someone enjoys most
- tastes
often used for personal style or food choices
- dislikes
the direct opposite in the common pair 'likes and dislikes'
文法句型
likes and dislikes
someone's likes
likes include + list
用法筆記
Usually plural. It often appears in forms, surveys, and conversations about taste, and is commonly paired with 'dislikes'. When you mean the feeling itself rather than the things enjoyed, English more often uses 'liking'.
常見錯誤
2. clicks that show approval of something on a social platform, or the total number
clicks that show approval of something on a social platform, or the total number of those clicks.
By noon, the rescue video had five thousand likes on TikTok.
number + likes on a platform
Aylin checked the poster's likes before choosing which design to print.
check + likes as a popularity measure
The charity campaign gained more likes after Diya reposted it at lunch.
Too few likes made the cafe owner change the headline photo.
文法句型
get likes
likes on + platform
number of likes
用法筆記
This is a countable noun and is usually plural when people talk about totals or engagement. Distinguish from verb sense 2: here 'likes' are the clicks or the count itself, not the action done by one account.
常見錯誤
3. used in the phrase 'the likes of' to mean people or things of a particular kind,
used in the phrase 'the likes of' to mean people or things of a particular kind, often with surprise, admiration, or disapproval.
Small clubs like ours rarely attract the likes of international sponsors.
the likes of + group noun
The village had never seen the likes of such a bright parade.
never seen the likes of + thing
Esme would not trust the likes of a man who lies to children.
Local shops cannot compete with the likes of giant online brands.
文法句型
the likes of + noun
never seen the likes of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears inside the fixed phrase 'the likes of'. It often adds attitude: the speaker may sound impressed, doubtful, or dismissive depending on context.