Liked

/laɪkt/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To feel enjoyment or approval of something.

/laɪkt/

verbpositiveBeginner
General

To have a feeling of enjoyment or fondness for something or someone.

I liked the song, so I added it to my playlist.

💡 Simply: When you 'like' something, it's like saying, 'I enjoy this!' Imagine you see a cool toy, and you're like, 'Wow, I really like that!' It's a good feeling!

👶 For kids: When you like something, it means you enjoy it and think it's good!

More Examples

2

She liked the new dress and decided to buy it.

3

They liked the restaurant's food and excellent service.

How It's Used

General conversation

"I liked the movie very much."

Social media

"She liked my post on Instagram."

2

To prefer or choose one thing over another.

/laɪkt/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To choose or prefer something.

He liked the simplicity of the design and bought the product.

💡 Simply: When you 'like' something in this way, it means you choose it. Like when you have two ice cream flavors – vanilla and chocolate – and you 'like' the chocolate one more, you'd pick that.

👶 For kids: When you like something, it means you choose it!

More Examples

2

I liked the first proposal better, so we went with it.

3

They liked the quiet ambiance, and decided to stay longer.

How It's Used

Decision making

"I liked the blue one better, so I chose that."

Everyday choices

"She liked coffee more than tea."

Tip:Think of a menu. If you 'like' one dish, it's the one you would order.

Idioms & expressions

like a fish out of water

Feeling uncomfortable or out of place in a situation.

"He felt like a fish out of water at the formal party."

like it or lump it

Accept something, whether you like it or not.

"You have to do what I say, like it or lump it."

From Middle English liked, past participle of liken ('to please, to be agreeable to'), from Old English līcian ('to please'). Related to 'like'.

The word 'like' has a long history, evolving from Old English. The past participle 'liked' has been used in the same way as it is today for centuries.

Memory tip

Think of a heart symbol. When you like something, it's like giving it a virtual heart.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"to please, to be agreeable to"

like a movielike a booklike to do something

Common misspellings

likkedlike'd

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written