Definition of likes

The word "like" has a long and fascinating history. The modern English word "like" originated from Old English "līc," which meant "similar" or "alike." This Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic "leikiz," which is also the source of Modern German "ähnlich" and Dutch "lijken." In the 14th century, the word "like" began to take on a new meaning as a preposition, used to indicate comparison or similarity, as in "he's like his father." This sense of the word is still dominant today. In the 20th century, the word "like" underwent another transformation, becoming a verb as a way to express appreciation or approval, as in "I like that song." This usage is thought to have originated in African American Vernacular English and has since become widespread in informal spoken English.