like a ... Definition

like¹
adj

1. Similar; resembling.

Example: as like as two peas
Thesaurus: similar, alike, resembling, analogous, corresponding, homologous, parallel, relating, akin.
2. Typical of.

Example: It's just like them to forget
3. Used in asking someone for a description of someone or something

Example: What's he like?

prep

1. In the same manner as; to the same extent as.

Example: run like a deer
2. Such as.

Example: animals like cats and dogs

adverb

1. colloq
Approximately.
2. colloq
As it were.
Example: It was magic, like

conj

colloq:
1. As if; as though.

Example: It's like I've been here before
2. In the same way as.

Example: not pretty like you are

noun

1. Usually preceded by a possessive pronoun: the counterpart or equal of someone or something.

Example: people of their like

Idiom: anything like

Note: often with negatives
Nearly.
Example: not anything like as good as the other one

Idiom: the like

Things of the same kind;
Example: TVs, radios and the like are on the third floor

Note: with negatives and in questions
Anything similar.
Example: never see the like again

Idiom: the likes of

usually contemptuous
People or things such as.
Example: wouldn't have much to do with the likes of them

Idiom: like as not

dialect
Probably.
Example: She'll be on time, like as not

Idiom: nothing like

Not nearly.
Example: His new film is nothing like as good as his last one

Idiom: something like

Approximately.
Example: paid something like £150 to get her car repaired

Idiom: like a ...

See under the following noun, eg for like a bat out of hell see under bat.

Idiom: like crazy (like mad)

colloq
Furiously; very much, fast, etc.
Example: drove like crazy

Idiom: like one of the family

colloq
As though someone or something was a member of one's family.
Example: She treats that cat like one of the family

Idiom: like what

non-standard
In the same way as.
Example: He's not mad like what you are

Idiom: more like it

Nearer to what is wanted or required;
Example: A cup of tea? A large brandy would be more like it

Nearer to the truth.
Example: calls her his research assistant but dogsbody is more like it

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon gelic alike.