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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Origin: | LIKE6 |
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like1 S1 W1
1 similar to something else, or happening in the same way : Her hair is dark brown like mine. A club should be like a big family. He eats like a pig!
similar
Her hair is dark brown like mine.A club should be like a big family.He eats like a pig! look/sound/feel/taste/seem like The garden looked like a jungle. At last he felt like a real soldier.
The garden looked like a jungle.At last he felt like a real soldier.2 used when asking someone to describe or give their opinion of a person or thing : What's their house like inside? What are Dan's parents like?
what is somebody/something like?
spokenWhat's their house like inside?What are Dan's parents like?3 for example : Try to avoid fatty foods like cakes and biscuits.
example
Try to avoid fatty foods like cakes and biscuits.4 typical of a particular person
typical
be like somebody to do something It's not like Steven to be late. It's just like her to run away from her responsibilities!
It's not like Steven to be late.It's just like her to run away from her responsibilities!5 used when you are showing someone how to do something : You have to fold the corners back, like so.
like this/that/so
spokenYou have to fold the corners back, like so.6 if you do something just like that, you do it without thinking about it or planning it carefully : You can't give up your job just like that!
just like that
informalYou can't give up your job just like that!7 not much more or less than a particular amount [= about]: The machinery alone will cost something like thirty thousand pounds. He's scored something like 60 goals this season.
something like
The machinery alone will cost something like thirty thousand pounds.He's scored something like 60 goals this season.8 not at all : Twenty years ago travel was nothing like as easy as it is now.
nothing like
British EnglishTwenty years ago travel was nothing like as easy as it is now.9 used to say that a particular thing is very enjoyable : There's nothing like a nice cup of tea!
there's nothing like
There's nothing like a nice cup of tea!10 used when giving an amount or number that you think is closer to being right than one that has been mentioned : The builders say they'll be finished in three months, but I think it'll be more like six.
more like
The builders say they'll be finished in three months, but I think it'll be more like six.11 used to say that something is better, more correct, or more enjoyable than something else : That gives us a total of 52 - that's more like it. She sat down by the pool and took a sip of her wine. 'This is more like it,' she said.
that's more like it/this is more like it
spokenThat gives us a total of 52 - that's more like it.She sat down by the pool and took a sip of her wine. 'This is more like it,' she said.12 used when you want to change something that has been said, to make it more true : 'Poor David,' she said. 'Poor Harriet, more like it!'
more like it
British English spoken'Poor David,' she said. 'Poor Harriet, more like it!'13 used in a joking, friendly way, when you are surprised by what someone has just said or done : 'I think she's a lovely lady.' 'What are you like!'
what are you like!
British English spoken informal'I think she's a lovely lady.' 'What are you like!'WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
as, like, as ifUse as in comparisons in the expression as ... as, with an adjective or adverb in between • Basketball is as popular as football here. • He can't read as well as his classmates.as is also used in the expressions not so .... as and the same (...) as • I wouldn't go so far as that. • He is the same age as me.Use like in comparisons followed by a noun • A movie is not like a book (NOT not as a book). • Like other people (NOT as other people), he values his privacy.Use as if followed by a clause to compare a real situation with an imaginary situation • He talked to them as if they were children.!! Some people use like in this sort of comparison • They act like they own the place. It is better not to do this as many people think it is incorrect.!!as if cannot be followed directly by a noun • You treat them as if they were your parents (NOT as if your parents). ➔ See also as
WORD CHOICE: as, like, as ifUse as in comparisons in the expression as ... as, with an adjective or adverb in between • Basketball is as popular as football here. • He can't read as well as his classmates.as is also used in the expressions not so .... as and the same (...) as • I wouldn't go so far as that. • He is the same age as me.Use like in comparisons followed by a noun • A movie is not like a book (NOT not as a book). • Like other people (NOT as other people), he values his privacy.Use as if followed by a clause to compare a real situation with an imaginary situation • He talked to them as if they were children.!! Some people use like in this sort of comparison • They act like they own the place. It is better not to do this as many people think it is incorrect.!!as if cannot be followed directly by a noun • You treat them as if they were your parents (NOT as if your parents). ➔ See also as
