Love vs. Like — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 16, 2023
Love is a deep emotional connection or affection towards someone or something, while like is a moderate feeling of enjoyment or approval.
Difference Between Love and Like
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Key Differences
Love and Like are both expressions of affection, but they differ in intensity and depth. Love is a profound emotional bond and commitment, often reserved for close relationships and intense feelings. It signifies a deep connection, whether with family, partners, or even hobbies.
Like, in contrast, suggests a milder appreciation or preference for someone or something. It's more casual and can denote general approval or enjoyment without the deep emotional undertones that love carries.
People often use the term Love to express a strong attachment or deep affection, like the love between family members or the passion between romantic partners. It embodies a sense of loyalty, commitment, and often, a willingness to sacrifice.
Like, meanwhile, can be used in a variety of contexts, from expressing a preference for a type of food to showing a mild appreciation for a movie or song. It doesn't usually carry the weight or expectation of long-term commitment like love does.
In summary, while both Love and Like denote positive feelings, love is a powerful emotional bond, and like is a more casual expression of preference or approval.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Deep emotional connection or affection.
Moderate feeling of enjoyment or approval.
Intensity
Profound and intense.
Mild and casual.
Usage
Close relationships, deep affections.
General preferences, mild appreciations.
Commitment Level
Often implies a long-term commitment or bond.
No implied long-term commitment.
Examples
Romantic relationships, familial bonds.
Preferences in food, casual appreciations.
Compare with Definitions
Love
An intense emotional attachment or affection.
She felt an overwhelming sense of love for her newborn baby.
Like
In English, the word like has a very flexible range of uses, ranging from conventional to non-standard. It can be used as a noun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, particle, conjunction, hedge, filler, and quotative.
Love
A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection.
The love between siblings is a special bond.
Like
Having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to
She looked nothing like Audrey Hepburn
He used to have a car like mine
They were like brothers
Love
A passionate attraction and desire.
Their love story began in college.
Like
Used to draw attention to the nature of an action or event
Why are you talking about me like that?
I apologize for coming over unannounced like this
Love
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse, which differs from the love of food.
Like
Such as; for example
The cautionary vision of works like Animal Farm and 1984
Love
A strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person, as that arising from kinship or close friendship.
Like
In the same way that; as
People who change countries like they change clothes
Love
A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.
Like
As though; as if
I felt like I'd been kicked by a camel
Love
A feeling of kindness or concern by God or a god toward humans.
Like
Used with reference to a person or thing of the same kind as another
The quotations could be arranged to put like with like
I know him—him and his like
Love
Often Love(Christianity) Charity.
Like
The things one likes or prefers
A wide variety of likes, dislikes, tastes, and income levels
Love
An instance of being in love
Teenage loves can be as fleeting as they are intense.
Like
(of a person or thing) having similar qualities or characteristics to another person or thing
I responded in like manner
The grouping of children of like ability together
Love
A person for whom one has strong feelings of affection
She met her new love at the restaurant.
Like
Used in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker's uncertainty about an expression just used
There was this funny smell—sort of dusty like
Love
Used as a term of endearment for such a person.
Like
Used to convey a person's reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation)
So she comes into the room and she's like ‘Where is everybody?’
Love
An intense emotional attachment to something, as to a pet or treasured object.
Like
In the manner of
Like as a ship with dreadful storm long tossed
Love
An expression of one's affection
Send him my love.
Like
Find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory
People who don't like reading books
All his classmates liked him
I like to be the centre of attention
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm
A love of language.
Love for the game of golf.
Like
Wish for; want
I'd like to hire a car
Would you like a cup of coffee?
I'd like you to stay
Love
The object of such an enthusiasm
The outdoors is her greatest love.
Like
To find pleasant or attractive; enjoy
Do you like ice cream? I like your style.
Love
Love(Mythology) Eros or Cupid.
Like
To want to have
I would like some coffee.
Love
(Sports) A score of zero, as in tennis.
Like
To prefer
How would you like your coffee—with sugar or without?.
Love
To feel love for (a person)
We love our parents. I love my friends.
Like
To feel about; regard
How do you like these new theater seats?.
Love
To feel devotion to (God or a god).
Like
To believe or predict that (a certain competitor) will win a contest
Which team do you like in tonight's game?.
Love
To feel or show kindness or concern to (a person). Used of God or a god.
Like
To perform well under (a given condition) or using (a given feature)
This car does not like cold weather. The engine does not like enriched fuel.
Love
To have an intense emotional attachment to
Loves his house.
Like
(Archaic) To be pleasing to.
Love
To embrace or caress
They were loving each other on the sofa.
Like
To have an inclination or a preference
If you like, we can meet you there.
Love
To like or desire enthusiastically
Loves swimming.
Like
(Scots) To be pleased.
Love
To thrive on; need
The cactus loves hot, dry air.
Like
Something that is liked; a preference
Made a list of his likes and dislikes.
Love
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
Like
One similar to or like another. Used with the
Was subject to coughs, asthma, and the like.
Love
(uncountable) Strong affection.
Like
Often likes(Informal) An equivalent or similar person or thing; an equal or match
I've never seen the likes of this before. We'll never see his like again.
Love
A profound and caring affection towards someone.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
Like
Possessing the characteristics of; resembling closely; similar to
Your house is like mine.
Love
Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Like
In the typical manner of
It's not like you to take offense.
Love
A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
Like
In the same way as
Lived like royalty.
Love
A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
Like
Inclined or disposed to
Felt like running away.
Love
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
Like
As if the probability exists for
Looks like a bad year for farmers.
Love
A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
Like
Such as; for example
Saved things like old newspapers and pieces of string.
Love
A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
Like
Possessing the same or almost the same characteristics; similar
On this and like occasions.
Love
An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Like
In the manner of being; as if. Used as an intensifier of action
Worked like hell.
Ran like crazy.
Love
Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
Like
(Informal) Probably; likely
Like as not she'll change her mind.
Love
(obsolete) A thin silk material.
Like
Nearly; approximately
The price is more like 1,000 dollars.
Love
A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
Like
(Nonstandard) Used to provide emphasis or to focus attention on something
Let's like talk about this for a minute. It's like so crowded you can't move.
Love
Zero, no score.
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
Like
In the same way that; as
To dance like she does requires great discipline.
Love
Nothing; no recompense.
Like
As if
It looks like we'll finish on time.
Love
To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
I love my spouse.
I love you!
I love that song!
Like
To enjoy, be pleased by; favor; be in favor of.
I like hamburgers.
I like skiing in winter.
I like the Seattle Mariners this season.
Love
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
Like
To please.
Love
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
I love walking barefoot on wet grass;
I'd love to join the team;
I love what you've done with your hair
Like
(obsolete) To derive pleasure of, by or with someone or something.
Love
To care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
Like
To prefer and maintain (an action) as a regular habit or activity.
I like to go to the dentist every six months.
She likes to keep herself physically fit.
We like to keep one around the office just in case.
Love
(transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
Like
(obsolete) To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).
Love
A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
Of all the dearest bonds we proveThou countest sons' and mothers' loveMost sacred, most Thine own.
Like
(archaic) To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly.
He liked to have been too late.
Love
Courtship; - chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,And won her soul.
Like
To find attractive; to prefer the company of; to have mild romantic feelings for.
I really like Sandra but don't know how to tell her.
Love
Affection; kind feeling; friendship; strong liking or desire; fondness; good will; - opposed to hate; often with of and an object.
Love, and health to all.
Smit with the love of sacred song.
The love of science faintly warmed his breast.
Like
(obsolete) To liken; to compare.
Love
Due gratitude and reverence to God.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Like
To show support for, or approval of, something posted on the Internet by marking it with a vote.
I liked my friend's last status on Facebook.
I can't stand Bloggs' tomato ketchup, but I liked it on Facebook so I could enter a competition.
Love
The object of affection; - often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
Open the temple gates unto my love.
Like
(with 'would' and in certain other phrases) To want, desire. See also would like.
Would you like a cigarette?
We could go to the museum if you like.
I don't like to disturb him when he's working.
Love
Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
Such was his form as painters, when they showTheir utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.
Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.
Like
To accept as an input.
We were frustrated that our seeming innocent choice for a team name was rejected by the censor. Apparently somewhere in the name is a word that the censor doesn’t like.
Love
A thin silk stuff.
Like
To be likely.
Love
A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).
Like
Something that a person likes (prefers).
Tell me your likes and dislikes.
Love
Nothing; no points scored on one side; - used in counting score at tennis, etc.
He won the match by three sets to love.
Like
(internet) An individual vote showing support for, approval of, or enjoyment of, something posted on the Internet.
Love
To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Like
(sometimes as the likes of) Someone similar to a given person, or something similar to a given object; a comparative; a type; a sort.
There were bowls full of sweets, chocolates and the like.
It was something the likes of which I had never seen before.
Love
To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
Wit, eloquence, and poetry.Arts which I loved.
Like
(golf) The stroke that equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side.
To play the like
Love
To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
Like
Similar.
My partner and I have like minds.
The two cats were as like as though they had come from the same litter.
Love
A strong positive emotion of regard and affection;
His love for his work
Children need a lot of love
Like
Likely; probable.
Love
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Like
Inclined (to), prone (to).
He seems like to run from any semblance of hard work.
Love
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Like
Likely.
Love
A score of zero in tennis or squash;
It was 40 love
Like
In a like or similar manner.
Love
Have a great affection or liking for;
I love French food
She loves her boss and works hard for him
Like
(colloquial) As, the way.
Love
Get pleasure from;
I love cooking
Like
As if; as though.
It looks like you've finished the project.
It seemed like you didn't care.
Love
Be enamored or in love with;
She loves her husband deeply
Like
Similar to, reminiscent of
Love
A commitment or loyalty towards someone or something.
His love for his country led him to serve in the military.
Like
Typical of
It would be just like Achilles to be sulking in his tent.
Love
An expression of one's affection or admiration.
He declared his love through a heartfelt letter.
Like
Approximating
Popcorn costs something like $10 dollars at the movies.
Like
In the manner of, similarly to
He doesn't act like a president.
Like
Such as
It's for websites like Wikipedia.
Like
As if there would be
It looks like a hot summer in Europe.
Like
Used to ask for a description or opinion of someone or something
I hear she has a new boyfriend. What's he like?
What's the weather like in Ürümqi today?
Like
Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; - often with in and the particulars of the resemblance; as, they are like each other in features, complexion, and many traits of character.
'T is as like youAs cherry is to cherry.
Like master, like man.
He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
Like
Equal, or nearly equal; as, fields of like extent.
More clergymen were impoverished by the late war than ever in the like space before.
Like
Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely.
But it is like the jolly world about us will scoff at the paradox of these practices.
Many were not easy to be governed, nor like to conform themselves to strict rules.
Like
Inclined toward; disposed to; as, to feel like taking a walk.
Had like to have been my utter overthrow.
Ramona had like to have said the literal truth, . . . but recollected herself in time.
Like
That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy.
He was a man, take him for all in all,I shall not look upon his like again.
Like
A liking; a preference; inclination; - usually in pl.; as, we all have likes and dislikes.
Like
The stroke which equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side; as, to play the like.
Like
In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him.
He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
Like
In a like or similar manner.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
Like
Likely; probably.
Like
To suit; to please; to be agreeable to.
Cornwall him liked best, therefore he chose there.
I willingly confess that it likes me much better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature.
Like
To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy.
He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving.
Like
To liken; to compare.
Like me to the peasant boys of France.
Like
To be pleased; to choose.
He may either go or stay, as he best likes.
Like
To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).
You like well, and bear your years very well.
Like
Prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Like
Find enjoyable or agreeable;
I like jogging
She likes to read Russian novels
Like
Be fond of;
I like my nephews
Like
Feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard;
How did you like the President's speech last night?
Like
Want to have;
I'd like a beer now!
Like
Resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination;
Suits of like design
A limited circle of like minds
Members of the cat family have like dispositions
As like as two peas in a pod
Doglike devotion
A dreamlike quality
Like
Equal in amount or value;
Like amounts
Equivalent amounts
The same amount
Gave one six blows and the other a like number
An equal number
The same number
Like
Having the same or similar characteristics;
All politicians are alike
They looked utterly alike
Friends are generaly alike in background and taste
Like
Conforming in every respect;
Boxes with corresponding dimensions
The like period of the preceding year
Like
A feeling of mild preference or enjoyment.
I like chocolate ice cream.
Like
An expression of approval or agreement.
I like your idea for the project.
Like
An indication of similarity or comparison.
He runs like the wind.
Like
A mild attachment or fondness.
I like hanging out with my coworkers after work.
Like
A sense of attraction without deep emotional attachment.
She likes him but isn't sure if it's love.
Common Curiosities
Which is stronger, love or like?
Love is a stronger emotion than like.
Is liking something always a less intense feeling than loving it?
Generally, like is less intense than love, but context matters.
Can the distinction between love and like be blurred?
Yes, the feelings of love and like can sometimes overlap or evolve over time.
Are love and like only restricted to relationships?
No, both love and like can refer to people, activities, objects, and ideas.
How do you determine if it's love or like?
Love often involves deeper commitment and emotional intensity, whereas like is milder and more casual.
Can you like someone but not love them?
Yes, you can like someone without necessarily loving them.
Does love always involve a deep emotional connection?
Typically, love implies a deeper emotional connection than like.
Is it possible to love and dislike someone at the same time?
Yes, it's possible to love someone but dislike certain aspects about them.
Can "like" be used in comparisons?
Yes, like can be used to denote similarity, as in "runs like the wind."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
