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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LIKE, a. [L., Heb., Gr. See Lick and Lickerish.]
1. Equal in quantity, quality or degree; as a territory of like extent with another; men of like excellence.
More clergymen were impoverished by the late war, than ever in the like space before.
2. Similar; resembling; having resemblance.
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are.
James 5.
Why might not other planets have been created for like uses with the earth, each for its own inhabitants?
Like is usually followed by to or unto, but it is often omitted.
What city is like unto this great city? Revelation 18.
I saw three unclean spirits like frogs. Revelation 16.
Among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel 1.
3. Probably; likely, that is, having the resemblance or appearance of an event; giving reason to expect or believe.
He is like to die of hunger in the place where he is, for there is no more bread. Jeremiah 38.
Many were not easy to be governed, not like to conform themselves to strict rules.
LIKE, n. [elliptically, for like thing, like event, like person.]
1. some person or thing resembling another; an equal. The like lmay never happen again.
He was a man, take him for all and all, I shall not look upon his like again.
2. had like, in the phrase, "he had like to be defeated," seems to be a corruption; but perhaps like here is used for resemblance or probability, and has the character of a noun. At any rate, as a phrase, it is authorized by good usage.
LIKE, adv.
1. In the same manner.
- Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6. Luke 12.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psalms 103.
2. In a manner becoming.
Be strong, and quit yourselves like men. 2 Samuel 4.
3. Likely; probably; as like enough it will.
LIKE, v.t. [L. placeo and delecto, with prefixes.]
1. To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve. it expresses less than love and delight. We like a plan or design, when we approve of it as correct or beneficial. We like the character or conduct of a man when it comports with our view of rectitude. We like food that the taste relishes. We like whatever gives us pleasure.
He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving.
2. to please; to be agreeable to.
This desire being recommended to her majesty, it like her to include the same within one entire lease. Obs.
3. To liken. Obs.
LIKE, v.i.
1. To be pleased; to choose.
He may go or stay, as he likes.
2. To like of, to be pleased. Obs.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination; "suits of like design"; "a limited circle of like minds"; "members of the cat family have like dispositions"; "as like as two peas in a pod"; "doglike devotion"; "a dreamlike quality" [syn: like, similar] [ant: different, dissimilar, unlike]
2: equal in amount or value; "like amounts"; "equivalent amounts"; "the same amount"; "gave one six blows and the other a like number"; "the same number" [syn: like, same] [ant: unlike]
3: having the same or similar characteristics; "all politicians are alike"; "they looked utterly alike"; "friends are generally alike in background and taste" [syn: alike, similar, like] [ant: dissimilar, unalike]
4: conforming in every respect; "boxes with corresponding dimensions"; "the like period of the preceding year" [syn: comparable, corresponding, like] n
1: a similar kind; "dogs, foxes, and the like", "we don't want the likes of you around here" [syn: like, the like, the likes of]
2: a kind of person; "We'll not see his like again"; "I can't tolerate people of his ilk" [syn: like, ilk] v
1: prefer or wish to do something; "Do you care to try this dish?"; "Would you like to come along to the movies?" [syn: wish, care, like]
2: find enjoyable or agreeable; "I like jogging"; "She likes to read Russian novels" [ant: dislike]
3: be fond of; "I like my nephews"
4: feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard; "How did you like the President's speech last night?"
5: want to have; "I'd like a beer now!"

Merriam Webster's

I. verb (liked; liking) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English l?cian; akin to Old English gel?c alike Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. chiefly dialect to be suitable or agreeable to <I like onions but they don't like me> 2. a. to feel attraction toward or take pleasure in ; enjoy <likes baseball> b. to feel toward ; regard <how would you like a change> 3. to wish to have ; want <would like a drink> 4. to do well in <this plant likes dry soil> <my car does not like cold weather> intransitive verb 1. dialect approve 2. to feel inclined ; choose, prefer <leave any time you like> II. noun Date: 1851 1. liking, preference 2. something that one likes III. adjective Etymology: Middle English, alteration of ilich, from Old English gel?c like, alike, from ge-, associative prefix + l?c body; akin to Old High German gil?h like, alike, Lithuanian lygus like — more at co- Date: 13th century 1. a. the same or nearly the same (as in appearance, character, or quantity) <suits of like design> — formerly used with as, unto, of <it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren — Hebrews
2:17(Authorized Version)> b. chiefly British closely resembling the subject or original <the portrait is very like> 2. likely <the importance of statistics as the one discipline like to give accuracy of mind — H. J. Laski> IV. preposition Date: 13th century 1. a. having the characteristics of ; similar to <his house is like a barn> <it's like when we were kids> b. typical of <was like him to do that> c. comparable to ; approximating <costs something like fifty cents> 2. in the manner of ; similarly to <acts like a fool> 3. as though there would be <looks like rain> 4. such as <a subject like physics> 5. — used to form intensive or ironic phrases <fought like hell> <like fun he did> <laughed like anything> V. noun Date: 13th century 1. a. one that is similar ; counterpart, equal <have…never seen the like before — Sir Winston Churchill> b. kind 4a — usually used with a preceding possessive <put him and his like to some job — J. R. R. Tolkien> 2. one of many that are similar to each other — used chiefly in proverbial expressions <like breeds like> VI. adverb Date: 14th century 1. archaic equally 2. likely, probably <you'll try it, some day, like enough — Mark Twain> 3. a. to some extent ; rather, altogether <saunter over nonchalantly like — Walter Karig> b. — used interjectionally in informal speech often to emphasize a word or phrase (as in “He was, like, gorgeous”) or for an apologetic, vague, or unassertive effect (as in “I need to, like, borrow some money”) 4. nearly ; approximately <the actual interest is more like 18 percent> — used interjectionally in informal speech with expressions of measurement <it was, like, five feet long> <goes there every day, like> VII. conjunction Date: 14th century 1. a. as if <middle-aged men who looked like they might be out for their one night of the year — Norman Mailer> b. — used in intensive phrases <drove like mad> <hurts like crazy> 2. in the same way that ; as <they raven down scenery like children do sweetmeats — John Keats> 3. a. in the way or manner that <the violin sounds like an old masterpiece should> <did it like you told me> b. — used interjectionally in informal speech often with the verb be to introduce a quotation, paraphrase, or thought expressed by or imputed to the subject of the verb, or with it's to report a generally held opinion <so I'm like, “Give me a break”> <it's like, “Who cares what he thinks?”> 4. such as <a bag like a doctor carries> <when your car has trouble — like when it won't start> — used interjectionally in informal speech <often stays up late, until like three in the morning> Usage: Like has been used as a conjunction since the 14th century. In the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries it was used in serious literature, but not often; in the 17th and 18th centuries it grew more frequent but less literary. It became markedly more frequent in literary use again in the 19th century. By mid-century it was coming under critical fire, but not from grammarians, oddly enough, who were wrangling over whether it could be called a preposition or not. There is no doubt that, after 600 years of use, conjunctive like is firmly established. It has been used by many prestigious literary figures of the past, though perhaps not in their most elevated works; in modern use it may be found in literature, journalism, and scholarly writing. While the present objection to it is perhaps more heated than rational, someone writing in a formal prose style may well prefer to use as, as if, such as, or an entirely different construction instead. VIII. verbal auxiliary or liked Date: 15th century chiefly dialect came near ; was near <so loud I like to fell out of bed — Helen Eustis>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. adj., prep., adv., conj., & n. --adj. (often governing a noun as if a transitive participle such as resembling) (more like, most like) 1 a having some or all of the qualities of another or each other or an original; alike (in like manner; as like as two peas; is very like her brother). b resembling in some way, such as; in the same class as (good writers like Dickens). c (usu. in pairs correlatively) as one is so will the other be (like mother, like daughter). 2 characteristic of (it is not like them to be late). 3 in a suitable state or mood for (doing or having something) (felt like working; felt like a cup of tea). --prep. in the manner of; to the same degree as (drink like a fish; sell like hot cakes; acted like an idiot). --adv. 1 archaic likely (they will come, like enough). 2 archaic in the same manner (foll. by as: sang like as a nightingale). 3 sl. so to speak (did a quick getaway, like; as I said, like, I'm no Shakespeare). 4 colloq. likely, probably (as like as not). --conj. colloq. disp. 1 as (cannot do it like you do). 2 as if (ate like they were starving). --n. 1 a counterpart; an equal; a similar person or thing (shall not see its like again; compare like with like). 2 (prec. by the) a thing or things of the same kind (will never do the like again). Phrases and idioms: and the like and similar things; et cetera (music, painting, and the like). be nothing like (usu. with compl.) be in no way similar or comparable or adequate. like anything see ANYTHING. like (or as like) as not probably. like-minded having the same tastes, opinions, etc. like-mindedly in accordance with the same tastes etc. like-mindedness being like-minded. like so colloq. like this; in this manner. the likes of colloq. a person such as. more like it colloq. nearer what is required. Etymology: ME lic, lik, shortened form of OE gelic ALIKE 2. v. & n. --v.tr. 1 a find agreeable or enjoyable or satisfactory (like reading; like the sea; like to dance). b be fond of (a person). 2 a choose to have; prefer (like my coffee black; do not like such things discussed). b wish for or be inclined to (would like a cup of tea; should like to come). 3 (usu. in interrog.; prec. by how) feel about; regard (how would you like it if it happened to you?). --n. (in pl.) the things one likes or prefers. Phrases and idioms: I like that! iron. as an exclamation expressing affront. like it or not colloq. whether it is acceptable or not. Etymology: OE lician f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Like Like (l[imac]k), a. [Compar. Liker (l[imac]k"[~e]r); superl. Likest.] [OE. lik, ilik, gelic, AS. gel[=i]c, fr. pref. ge- + l[=i]c body, and orig. meaning, having the same body, shape, or appearance, and hence, like; akin to OS. gil[=i]k, D. gelijk, G. gleich, OHG. gil[=i]h, Icel. l[=i]kr, gl[=i]kr, Dan. lig, Sw. lik, Goth. galeiks, OS. lik body, D. lijk, G. leiche, Icel. l[=i]k, Sw. lik, Goth. leik. The English adverbial ending-ly is from the same adjective. Cf. Each, Such, Which.] 1. Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; -- often with in and the particulars of the resemblance; as, they are like each other in features, complexion, and many traits of character. 'T is as like you As cherry is to cherry. --Shak. Like master, like man. --Old Prov. He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. --Ps. cxlvii. 16. Note: To, which formerly often followed like, is now usually omitted. 2. Equal, or nearly equal; as, fields of like extent. More clergymen were impoverished by the late war than ever in the like space before. --Sprat. 3. Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely. Usage: [Likely is more used now.] --Shak. But it is like the jolly world about us will scoff at the paradox of these practices. --South. Many were not easy to be governed, nor like to conform themselves to strict rules. --Clarendon. 4. Inclined toward; disposed to; as, to feel like taking a walk. Had like (followed by the infinitive), had nearly; came little short of. Had like to have been my utter overthrow. --Sir W. Raleigh Ramona had like to have said the literal truth, . . . but recollected herself in time. --Mrs. H. H. Jackson. Like figures (Geom.), similar figures. Note: Like is used as a suffix, converting nouns into adjectives expressing resemblance to the noun; as, manlike, like a man; childlike, like a child; godlike, like a god, etc. Such compounds are readily formed whenever convenient, and several, as crescentlike, serpentlike, hairlike, etc., are used in this book, although, in some cases, not entered in the vocabulary. Such combinations as bell-like, ball-like, etc., are hyphened.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Like Like, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Liked (l[imac]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Liking.] [OE. liken to please, AS. l[=i]cian, gel[=i]cian, fr. gel[=i]c. See Like, a.] 1. To suit; to please; to be agreeable to. [Obs.] Cornwall him liked best, therefore he chose there. --R. of Gloucester. I willingly confess that it likes me much better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature. --Sir P. Sidney. 2. To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy. He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving. --Sir P. Sidney. 3. To liken; to compare.[Obs.] Like me to the peasant boys of France. --Shak.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Like Like, n. 1. That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy. He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again. --Shak. 2. A liking; a preference; inclination; -- usually in pl.; as, we all have likes and dislikes.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Like Like, adv. [AS. gel[=i]ce. See Like, a.] 1. In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him. He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. --Job xii. 25. Note: Like, as here used, is regarded by some grammarians as a preposition. 2. In a like or similar manner. --Shak. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. --Ps. ciii. 13. 3. Likely; probably. ``Like enough it will.'' --Shak.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Like Like (l[imac]k), v. i. 1. To be pleased; to choose. He may either go or stay, as he best likes. --Locke. 2. To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition). [Obs.] You like well, and bear your years very well. --Shak. 3. To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly; as, he liked to have been too late. Cf. Had like, under Like, a. [Colloq.] He probably got his death, as he liked to have done two years ago, by viewing the troops for the expedition from the wall of Kensington Garden. --Walpole. To like of, to be pleased with. [Obs.] --Massinger.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Like Like, n. (Golf) The stroke which equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side; as, to play the like.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

I. PREPOSITION AND CONJUNCTION USES (likes) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If you say that one person or thing is like another, you mean that they share some of the same qualities or features. He looks like Father Christmas... Kathy is a great mate, we are like sisters... It's nothing like what happened in the mid-Seventies... This is just like old times. ...a mountain shaped like a reclining woman. PREP 2. If you talk about what something or someone is like, you are talking about their qualities or features. What was Bulgaria like?... What did she look like?... What was it like growing up in Hillsborough?... PREP 3. You can use like to introduce an example of the set of things or people that you have just mentioned. The neglect that large cities like New York have received over the past 12 years is tremendous... He could say things like, 'Let's go to the car' or 'Let us go for a walk' in French. = such as PREP: n PREP n/-ing 4. You can use like to say that someone or something is in the same situation as another person or thing. It also moved those who, like me, are too young to have lived through the war... PREP 5. If you say that someone is behaving like something or someone else, you mean that they are behaving in a way that is typical of that kind of thing or person. Like is used in this way in many fixed expressions, for example to cry like a baby and to watch someone like a hawk. I was shaking all over, trembling like a leaf... Greenfield was behaving like an irresponsible idiot. PREP: v PREP n 6. You can use like in expressions such as that's just like her and it wasn't like him to indicate that the person's behaviour is or is not typical of their character. You should have told us. But it's just like you not to share... PREP: v-link PREP n 7. Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to say that something appears to be the case when it is not. Some people consider this use to be incorrect. On the train up to Waterloo, I felt like I was going on an adventure. = as if CONJ 8. Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to indicate that something happens or is done in the same way as something else. Some people consider this use to be incorrect. People are strolling, buying ice cream for their children, just like they do every Sunday... He spoke exactly like I did... We really were afraid, not like in the cinema. = as CONJ 9. You can use like in negative expressions such as nothing like it and no place like it to emphasize that there is nothing as good as the situation, thing, or person mentioned. There's nothing like candlelight for creating a romantic mood... There was no feeling like it in the world. PREP: with neg [emphasis] 10. You can use like in expressions such as nothing like to make an emphatic negative statement. Three hundred million dollars will be nothing like enough... It's really not anything like as bad as it looks. PREP: with neg [emphasis] II. VERB USES (likes, liking, liked) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If you like something or someone, you think they are interesting, enjoyable, or attractive. He likes baseball... I can't think why Grace doesn't like me... What music do you like best?... I just didn't like being in crowds... Do you like to go swimming?... I like my whisky neat... That's one of the things I like about you. You're strong. VERB: no cont, V n, V n, V n, V -ing, V to-inf, V n adj/prep, V n about n/-ing 2. If you ask someone how they like something, you are asking them for their opinion of it and whether they enjoy it or find it pleasant. How do you like America?... How did you like the trip? VERB: no cont, no passive, V n/-ing, V n/-ing 3. If you like something such as a particular course of action or way of behaving, you approve of it. I've been looking at the cookery book. I like the way it is set out... The US administration would like to see a negotiated settlement to the war... Opal, his wife, didn't really like him drinking so much... I don't like relying on the judges' decisions. VERB: no cont, V n, V to-inf, V n -ing, V -ing, also V n about n/-ing 4. If you say that you like to do something or that you like something to be done, you mean that you prefer to do it or prefer it to be done as part of your normal life or routine. I like to get to airports in good time... I hear Mary's husband likes her to be home no later than six o'clock. VERB: no cont, no passive, V to-inf, V n to-inf 5. If you say that you would like something or would like to do something, you are indicating a wish or desire that you have. I'd like a bath... If you don't mind, I think I'd like to go home. VERB: no cont, no passive, V n, V to-inf 6. You can say that you would like to say something to indicate that you are about to say it. I'd like to apologize... I would like to take this opportunity of telling you about a new service which we are offering. VERB: no cont, no passive, V to-inf, V to-inf 7. If you ask someone if they would like something or would like to do something, you are making a polite offer or invitation. Here's your change. Would you like a bag?... Perhaps while you wait you would like a drink at the bar... Would you like to come back for coffee? VERB: no cont, no passive, V n, V n, V to-inf [politeness] 8. If you say to someone that you would like something or you would like them to do something, or ask them if they would like to do it, you are politely telling them what you want or what you want them to do. I'd like an explanation... We'd like you to look around and tell us if anything is missing... Would you like to tell me what happened? VERB: no cont, no passive, V n, V n to-inf, V to-inf [politeness] III. NOUN USES AND PHRASES (likes) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You can use like in expressions such as like attracts like, when you are referring to two or more people or things that have the same or similar characteristics. You have to make sure you're comparing like with like... Homeopathic treatment is based on the 'like cures like' principle. N-UNCOUNT 2. Someone's likes are the things that they enjoy or find pleasant. I thought that I knew everything about Jemma: her likes and dislikes, her political viewpoints. ? dislikes N-PLURAL: usu poss N 3. see also liking 4. You say if you like when you are making or agreeing to an offer or suggestion in a casual way. You can stay here if you like... 'Shall we stop talking about her?'—'If you like.' PHRASE: PHR with cl 5. You say if you like when you are expressing something in a different way, or in a way that you think some people might disagree with or find strange. This is more like a downpayment, or a deposit, if you like. = let's say PHRASE: PHR with cl/group 6. You can use the expressions like anything, like crazy, or like mad to emphasize that someone is doing something or something is happening in a very energetic or noticeable way. (INFORMAL) He's working like mad at the moment. PHRASE: PHR after v [emphasis] 7. You say like this, like that, or like so when you are showing someone how something is done. It opens and closes, like this. PHRASE: usu PHR with cl 8. You use like this or like that when you are drawing attention to something that you are doing or that someone else is doing. I'm sorry to intrude on you like this... Stop pacing like that. PHRASE: PHR after v 9. You use the expression something like with an amount, number, or description to indicate that it is approximately accurate. They can get something like £3,000 a year... 'When roughly would this be? Monday?'—'Something like that.' = about PHRASE: PHR n 10. If you refer to something the like of which or the likes of which has never been seen before, you are emphasizing how important, great, or noticeable the thing is. ...technological advances the like of which the world had previously only dreamed of... We are dealing with an epidemic the likes of which we have never seen in this century. = such as PHRASE: n PHR cl [emphasis]

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. a. 1. Similar, resembling, analogous, allied, parallel, cognate, of a piece. 2. Equal, same. 3. Likely, probable. II. n. 1. Equal. 2. Preference, partiality, liking. III. ad. 1. In the manner of, in the same manner as. 2. Likely, probably. IV. v. a. 1. Approve, be pleased with, take pleasure in, find to one's mind, taste, or fancy. 2. Relish, enjoy, be fond of. 3. Esteem, fancy, have a regard for, take a liking to, take to, take a fancy to. V. v. n. Choose, prefer, elect, wish, list, think fit, be pleased.

Moby Thesaurus

Amor, Christian love, Eros, Platonic love, admiration, admire, adoration, adore, adulate, affection, after this fashion, agape, agnate, aim at, akin, alike, all one, all the same, allied, ally, along these lines, alter ego, analogon, analogous, analogue, aped, appreciate, approve, approve of, approximate, approximating, approximative, ardency, ardor, as, as if, as though, ask, associate, at par, at what price, attachment, au pair, bask in, be desirous of, be fond of, be partial to, be pleased with, bodily love, brother, brotherly love, burn with love, by what mode, by what name, care for, caritas, charity, choose, close, close copy, close match, close to, coequal, coextensive, cognate, commensurate, companion, comparable, compeer, complement, comprehend, congenator, congener, conjugal love, consimilar, consonant, consubstantial, coordinate, copied, correlate, correlative, correspondent, corresponding, correspondingly, counterfeit, counterpart, delight in, derive pleasure from, desiderate, desire, devotion, devour, dig, disposed to, ditto, dote on, dote upon, drawn, duplicate, eat up, either, elect, endorse, enjoy, equal, equal to, equalized, equipollent, equivalent, ersatz, esteem, even, even stephen, exactly alike, faithful love, fake, fancy, favor, favoring, feast on, fellow, fervor, fifty-fifty, flame, following, fondness, for example, for instance, freak out on, free love, free-lovism, get high on, gloat over, go, go for, groove on, half-and-half, have designs on, have eyes for, have it bad, heart, hero worship, homogeneous, homologous, homoousian, how, identic, identical, identically, idolatry, idolism, idolization, image, imitated, imitation, in kind, in like manner, in other words, in such wise, in that way, in this way, in what way, indistinguishable, indulge in, just alike, kindred spirit, knotted, lasciviousness, level, libido, like that, like this, likeness, likes, likewise, liking, love, lovemaking, lust, lust after, luxuriate in, married love, match, mate, mimicked, mind, mock, namely, near, near duplicate, nearly reproduced, nip and tuck, not unlike, obverse, of that ilk, on a footing, on a level, on a par, on even ground, one, opposite number, par, parallel, partiality, passion, peer, pendant, phony, physical love, picture, please, popular regard, popularity, predilection, prefer, preference, proportionate, proximate, quits, reciprocal, regard, rejoice in, relatable, related, relish, resembling, respect, revel in, riot in, rival, same, savor, second self, select, selfsame, sentiment, sex, sexual love, shine, similar, similarly, similitude, simulacrum, simulated, sister, smack the lips, smacking of, so, something like, soul mate, spiritual love, square, stalemated, such, suchlike, suggestive of, swim in, synthetic, take pleasure in, take to, tally, taste, tender feeling, tender passion, the like of, the likes of, thus, thus and so, tied, to wit, truelove, twin, understand, undifferenced, undifferent, undifferentiated, uniform, uniform with, uxoriousness, wallow in, want, weakness, wish, wish to goodness, wish very much, without difference, without distinction, worship, would fain do, yearning