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Definition of like adverb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

like

adverb
 
/laɪk/
 
/laɪk/
Idioms
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  1. used in very informal speech, for example when you are thinking what to say next, explaining something, or giving an example of something
    • It was, like, weird.
    • It was kind of scary, like.
    • It's really hard. Like I have no time for my own work.
  2. used in very informal speech to show that what you are saying may not be exactly right but is nearly so
    • I'm leaving in like twenty minutes.
    • It's going to cost like a hundred dollars.
  3. I’m, he’s, she’s, etc. like used in very informal speech, to mean ‘I say’, ‘he/she says’, etc.
    • And then I'm like ‘No Way!’
  4. used in informal speech instead of as to say that something happens in the same way
    • There was silence, but not like before.
    Which Word? as / likeas / likeYou can use both as and like to say that things are similar.
    • Like is a preposition and is used before nouns and pronouns:
      • He has blue eyes like me.
    • As is a conjunction and an adverb and is used before a clause, another adverb or a clause beginning with a preposition:
      • She enjoys all kinds of music, as I do.
      • As ever, he was friendly and helpful.
      • Repeat these five steps, as in the last exercise.
    • In informal English like is frequently used as a conjunction or an adverb instead of as:
      • Nobody understands him like I do.
      • I don’t want to upset him again like before.
      It is also used instead of as if:
      • It looks like we’re going to be late.
      These uses of like are common but are not considered correct in formal written English.
    You will find more help on the use of as and like in the entries for particular verbs, such as act, behave, etc.
  5. Word Originadverb Middle English: from Old Norse líkr; related to alike.
Idioms
(as) like as not
(also like enough, most/very like)
  1. (old-fashioned) quite probably
    • She would be in bed by now, as like as not.
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc2
See like in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
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