like that

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English

Adjective

like that (not comparable)

  1. (idiomatic, euphemistic) Gay; homosexual.
    Synonym: that way

Prepositional phrase

like that

  1. Used adverbially or adjectivally to indicate similitude, similarity, equivalent or comparable quality
    1. (adverbial) In such, the same, a similar way, in that particular manner
      Synonyms: like so, that way
      We don't talk like that around here.
      I can't believe anyone past the age of six would behave like that in public.
      It happened just like that.
    2. (adjectival) Of the same, a similar, that particular kind.
      Synonyms: such, of the kind/of that kind, of the sort/of that sort, of the like, of that ilk
      We don't say stuff like that around here.
      I've never seen anything like that in my life.
  2. (adverbial) suddenly; unexpectedly.
    Synonyms: just like that, (very informal) bam, wham, all of a sudden
    Near-synonym: out of nowhere
    He was playing in the yard and, then, like that, he was gone.
  3. (interjectional) Used to indicate agreement with another speaker's statement.
    Synonym: what he said
    "And then the truck turned, the box fell out the back, and the truck just kept going." / "Yea, like that."

Usage notes

  • Note that, with the sense indicating similarity, the difference in form between the adverbial and adjectival uses can be quite subtle. Consider the two following examples, one differing from the other by only one word:
    We don't say it like that around here. (Here, "like that" functions as an adverb which modifies the verb "say" in the verb phrase "say it.")
    We don't say stuff like that around here. (In this case, "like that" plays the role of an adjective modifying "stuff.")
It is also possible to read the second example as an adverbial use, but such an interpretation would be less common.

Translations

Further reading

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