Like has 22 different meanings across 8 categories:
Noun · Verb · Adjective · Conj · Prep · Particle · Intj · Proper Noun
a similar kind
"dogs, foxes, and the like"
"we don't want the likes of you around here"
Something that a person likes (prefers).
"She decided to hire someone like her former assistant who had the same knack for solving complex problems quickly."
Someone similar to a given person, or something similar to a given object; a comparative; a type; a sort.
In plain English: A like is a small heart icon you click to show someone that you enjoy their post.
"She decided to like her own way of doing things."
Usage: Use "like" as a noun only when referring to a specific person who resembles another individual or an item that matches a particular model. It functions as a label for a comparison rather than indicating preference or similarity in a sentence structure.
feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard
"How did you like the President's speech last night?"
To enjoy, be pleased by; favor; be in favor of.
"The weather forecast says it will rain soon, so I'd like to take an umbrella just in case."
To be likely.
In plain English: To like something means to enjoy it or have a positive feeling toward it.
Usage: Use "like" as a verb to express enjoyment or preference, such as saying "I like coffee." Do not use it to mean probability; instead, say "It is likely to rain" when referring to something being probable.
conforming in every respect
"boxes with corresponding dimensions"
"the like period of the preceding year"
Similar.
"The new coffee shop looks just like the bakery on Main Street, so it's no surprise they have a similar crowd."
In plain English: When something is described as like, it means it is very similar to or resembles another thing.
"The idea of winning the lottery sounds like my favorite dream."
Usage: Use "like" as an adjective only when it means having the same characteristics or nature as something else, often appearing in phrases like "a like situation." In most everyday contexts, however, "like" functions as a verb meaning to enjoy or a preposition indicating similarity, so use the adjective form sparingly to avoid confusion.
Likely.
"The traffic is so bad that I'm like going to be late for work again."
In plain English: When used as an adverb, like means almost or nearly, such as when you say you are almost done with your homework.
"It rained hard like never before this time of year."
Usage: Use "like" as an adverb to mean "approximately" or "almost," as in "it will rain like tomorrow." This usage is informal and should be avoided in formal writing where words such as "about" or "nearly" are preferred.
As, the way.
"She dresses like her mother used to when she was young."
Similar to, reminiscent of.
"The old lighthouse looked like a giant stone finger pointing at the stormy sea."
A delayed filler.
"She paused, then said like we had all known each other for years before introducing herself to the new hire."
Used to place emphasis upon a statement.
"I like don't care if you're late, just show up eventually."
A surname.
"My neighbor, Mr. Like, invited us to his barbecue last weekend."
The verb "like" comes from the Old English word līcian, which originally meant "to please." It traveled into Middle English as liken and has retained its core meaning of enjoyment ever since.