A Love-Hate Relationship with the Word LIKE

Words We Love Substack Carnival 2025

This word is shared as part of the Words We Love Substack Carnival, a lexicon of lovable language compiled by some of your current or future favorite educators and writers on Substack. Enjoy all the Valentine’s Day vocabulary on the Words We Love 2025 page.

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

Welcome to a special edition of the McGee Francis English newsletter. It’s unusual for me to post on any day besides Sunday, but this newsletter is part of the Words We Love Substack Carnival. Roots2Words challenged Substackers to write about a word they love and publish it on February 14th. So here we are!

I admit that when I first saw this idea, I felt a bit intimidated. I racked my brain for an interesting word to write about. I didn’t think I would be able to pick one. Then, a total light bulb moment 💡! I’m not going to write about my favorite word, but one of my favorite words to teach!

To like is often one of the first verbs people learn, whether they are native or non-native English speakers. But what most English learners don’t know is that this word has multiple other meanings. It’s impossible to avoid the word like, and I’ve witnessed it cause confusion a million times for my students. It’s always an incredibly fun lesson for me to teach. Let’s look at how versatile this word is and how it is used in everyday speech.

Definition #1: Verb – to enjoy or be fond of
Examples:
I like basketball.
He likes to listen to music.

Definition #2: Preposition – similar to; having the characteristics of
Examples:
His skin is white like snow.
Her house is like a time capsule.

Definition #3: Verb – to resemble or appear similar to
Examples:
We look like our parents.
She looks like a celebrity.

Definition #4: Preposition – for example
Examples:
You can do many things in Milan like go shopping, visit museums, and try new restaurants.
The coffee shop serves pastries like croissants and donuts.

Definition #5: Adverb – approximately, around (informal)
Examples:
How long is the flight from Boston to New York? Like 45-50 minutes.
How old is he? I think he is like 25-26 years old.

Definition #6: Interjection – used to relay what someone said
Examples:
I asked him for help and he was like ‘I’m too busy right now.’ And then I was like ‘Well when are you not too busy?’
I went to my favorite restaurant and asked for a table for two. And then the hostess was like ‘We have no open tables.’ and I was like ‘Yes, I see three open tables.’

Definition #7: Noun/verb – approval on social media
Examples:
Don’t forget to like my post!
Her photo has 100,000 likes!

Definition #8: Verb – to prefer or desire something
Examples:
I’d like a coffee, please.
She would like to see you now.

Definition #9: Noun – similar type or category
Examples:
We will never see the like of him again.
Artists like Van Gogh and Picasso changed the art world.

Definition #10: Conjunction – as if
Examples:
He ran like he was being chased by a lion.
She looked at me like I was crazy.

Definition #11: Filler word - no translation
Examples:
He’s, like, acting strange. Like, I don’t know what it is, but it’s, like, weird.
Then we, like, got in the car and, like, drove to find a place to eat.

This filler word drives me absolutely crazy! (The hate part of the relationship.) It’s completely unnecessary. In fact, I remember teachers in high school and college keeping count of how many times a classmate used the word like in a presentation to help deter them from using it. Using the word like as a filler word doesn’t mean you are unintelligent, but people may think you are if you use it too much!

Hopefully, this post was insightful! Check out the words that other Substackers posted here!

McGee Francis English