Like | Meaning, Examples & Part of Speech
Like is a very frequently used word and can function as several different parts of speech.
As a preposition and conjunction, it often introduces a comparison or example. As a verb, it can express enjoyment, preference, or approval.
If you need help identifying the part of speech of like in a sentence, ask QuillBotβs free AI Chat.
| Example | Meaning | Part of speech/function |
| I had a lunch box like that! | Similar to | Preposition |
| It was like weβd never met before. | As if | Conjunction |
| Do you like popcorn? | Prefer/enjoy | Verb |
| I was like, βI donβt mind.β | Say (in combination with βbeβ) | Quotative |
| But thatβs, like, okay, isnβt it? | βYou knowβ | Discourse marker |
Preposition like
The word like can function as a preposition meaning:
- βSimilar toβ
- βAppears to be,β in combination with the linking verbs βlook,β βsound,β βseem,β and βfeelβ
- βFor exampleβ
The preposition like can also indicate typical or characteristic behavior in sentences like βItβs just like her to be so well prepared.β
That looks like a warm sweater. [Appear to be]
Does it sound like a good idea to you? [Appear to be]
She listens to classic rock like Queen and Aerosmith. [For example]
Itβs just like Bill to be so generous with his time. [Characteristic of]
Yes, that sounds exactly like Bill. [Characteristic of]
Thatβs not like Bill; heβs usually so generous with his time. [Characteristic of]
- Q: What was the concert like? A: It was amazing!
- Q: How was the concert like?
- Q: How was the concert? A: It was amazing!
- Q: Whatβs your new teacher like? A: Heβs really nice.
- Q: Howβs your new teacher like?
- Q: Howβs your new teacher? A: Heβs really nice.
In the question βHow did you like X?,β βlikeβ is a verb, and the correct question word is βhow,β not βwhat.β
- Q: How did you like the film? A: I liked it a lot.
- Q: What did you like the flim?
- Q: What did you like about the film? A: I liked the main actor.
In some contexts, deciding whether like or as is the correct word can be tricky. You canβt use βasβ as a preposition meaning βsimilar to,β but you can use the phrase βthe same X asβ to compare things with similar characteristics.
- Q: Our sofaβs the same color as that.
- Q: Our sofaβs the same color like that.
- Q: We have a sofa like that.
- Q: We have a sofa as that.
Conjunction like
βLikeβ can function as a subordinating conjunction meaning βthe wayβ or βas if.β Here, βlikeβ is followed by a dependent clause (not by the object of a preposition).
It looked like they were filming a YouTube video. [As if]
It felt like I was at a job interview because they were asking me so many questions. [As if]
Verb like
The verb like can mean βenjoy,β βlove,β βapprove of,β or βappreciate.β
You didnβt used to like swimming when you were small.
I like how youβve combined all those different shades of green.
I didnβt like his attitude, to be honest.
- But I like Justin Bieber!
- But Iβm liking Justin Bieber!
When weβre talking about enjoying a single occasion in the past rather than speaking βgenerally,β we typically use the present participle (β-ingβ form) after the verb βlikeβ rather than the infinitive.
- I liked listening to her talk about her childhood at the book event last week.
- I liked to listen to her talk about her childhood at the book event last week.
- I always liked to listen/listening to her talk about her childhood.
When you use the verb βlikeβ followed by an object and then another verb to express a preference, you typically use the infinitive rather than the β-ingβ form for the second verb.
- I like my desk to be tidy.
- I like my desk being tidy.
- We like the sessions to start on time.
- We like the sessions starting on time.
Like simile
When like is used to make a figurative comparison in a simile, it functions as a preposition.
The thought held his attention briefly, like the first raindrop on a windowpane.
Forgetting about it was easy, like shaking the rain from your coat on a rainy day.
Quotative like
In informal (colloquial) speech be like is sometimes used to introduce direct speechβlike the reporting verb βsay.β
And sometimes they donβt listen, and Iβm like, βOK, Iβll explain it for a third time then.β
So he asked me how to get there, and I was like, βOh, I donβt actually know.β
And then we got lost, and heβs like, βItβs not my fault.β
Unlike βsay,β βbe likeβ can also be used to βreport onβ peopleβs feelings, attitudes, and thoughts.
And sometimes they donβt listen, and Iβm like, thatβs not OK.
So he asked me how to get there, and I was like, this is weird.
And then we got lost, and heβs all like, pretending he knows the way.
Like discourse marker
Like is also used as a discourse marker in informal speechβa word or phrase that helps you communicate a subtle aspect of your message rather than changing its basic meaning. For example, βlikeβ can function as a hedge or softener to make you sound less certain, tone down criticism, or appeal to common ground (like βyou knowβ).
That colorβs maybe, like, a bit too bright. [Soften criticism]
But it wasnβt, like, the worst meal weβve ever had. [Appeal to common ground]
Noun like
The part of speech of the word like can be a noun meaning βsomething that you likeβ or βa similar thing.β
We got lots of likes on that social media post.
It was a unique occasion, the like/likes of which Iβd never experienced before.
You can use this room for painting, crafts, and the like.
Frequently asked questions about like
- Is like a preposition?
-
Yes, like is a preposition in sentences such as:
- Itβs a sci-fi movie, a bit like Star Wars.
- That puzzle looks like a difficult one.
The part of speech of like can also be a conjunction, verb, or noun.
QuillBotβs free AI Chat can help you identify the part of speech of βlikeβ in a sentence.
- What part of speech is like?
-
The part of speech of like is a preposition when itβs used to indicate similarity before a pronoun, noun, or noun phrase (e.g., βI want sneakers like that/hersβ).
βLikeβ is a conjunction when it means βthe wayβ (e.g., βMake sure you do it exactly like I told youβ). You can use like or as with this grammatical functionββlikeβ is more informal.
If you need to identify the part of speech of βlikeβ in a specific sentence, why not ask QuillBotβs free AI Chat to help you?
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Challenger, T. (2026, February 10). Like | Meaning, Examples & Part of Speech. Quillbot. Retrieved April 10, 2026, from https://quill.cosmictools.in/blog/sentence-and-word-structure/like/
