like
As if, or about that much. Soft comparison talk.
Also called as if, about, like to.
Updated September 24, 2026
like pronunciation
/LIKE/
Meaning
In redneck and Southern speech, like often stands where school English wants as if or about. Looks like rain. Cost like forty bucks. It compares without getting fussy. A close cousin is like to or liked to, meaning almost, as in I like to died laughing.
How folks use it
- “Looks like we're in for a gullywasher.”
- “That load weighed like a ton coming up the hill.”
Origin and etymology
Long used in English for resemblance. Southern and Appalachian talk leans on it hard for as if and rough numbers. The related Southern adverb like to for almost is documented in DARE and American Heritage as chiefly Southern.
Frequently asked questions
Is like to the same as like?
Related. Like to means almost. Plain like here means as if or approximately.