Fancy vs. Like — What's the Difference?

Highly decorated

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.

Complex or intricate

Having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to

Elegantly fashionable or sophisticated

Used to draw attention to the nature of an action or event

Of superior grade; fine

Such as; for example

Excessive or exorbitant

In the same way that; as

Bred for unusual qualities or special points.

As though; as if

The mental faculty through which whims, visions, and fantasies are summoned up; imagination, especially of a whimsical or fantastic nature.

Used with reference to a person or thing of the same kind as another

Something imagined or invented by the mind

The things one likes or prefers

A capricious liking or inclination

(of a person or thing) having similar qualities or characteristics to another person or thing

A romantic liking or interest

Used in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker's uncertainty about an expression just used

The enthusiasts or fans of a sport or pursuit considered as a group.

Used to convey a person's reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation)

The sport or pursuit, such as boxing, engaging the interest of such a group.

In the manner of

To have a liking or enthusiasm for

Find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory

To have a desire or inclination for

Wish for; want

To take a romantic interest in (someone)

To find pleasant or attractive; enjoy

To imagine or suppose

To want to have

The imagination.

To prefer

An image or representation of anything formed in the mind.

To feel about; regard

An opinion or notion formed without much reflection.

To believe or predict that (a certain competitor) will win a contest

A whim.

To perform well under (a given condition) or using (a given feature)

Love or amorous attachment.

(Archaic) To be pleasing to.

The object of inclination or liking.

To have an inclination or a preference

Any sport or hobby pursued by a group.

(Scots) To be pleased.

The enthusiasts of such a pursuit.

Something that is liked; a preference

A diamond with a distinctive colour.

One similar to or like another. Used with the

That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value.

Often likes(Informal) An equivalent or similar person or thing; an equal or match

A bite-sized sponge cake, with a layer of cream, covered in icing.

Possessing the characteristics of; resembling closely; similar to

(obsolete) A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad.

In the typical manner of

In the game of jacks, a style of play involving additional actions (contrasted with plainsies).

In the same way as

Decorative, or featuring decorations, especially intricate or diverse ones.

Inclined or disposed to

Of a superior grade.

As if the probability exists for

Executed with skill.

Such as; for example

(colloquial) Unnecessarily complicated.

Possessing the same or almost the same characteristics; similar

(obsolete) Extravagant; above real value.

In the manner of being; as if. Used as an intensifier of action

(nonstandard) In a fancy manner; fancily.

(Informal) Probably; likely

(formal) To appreciate without jealousy or greed.

Nearly; approximately

(British) would like

(Nonstandard) Used to provide emphasis or to focus attention on something

To be sexually attracted to.

In the same way that; as

To imagine, suppose.

As if

To form a conception of; to portray in the mind.

To enjoy, be pleased by; favor; be in favor of.

To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners.

To please.

(transitive) To breed (animals) as a hobby.

(obsolete) To derive pleasure of, by or with someone or something.

The faculty by which the mind forms an image or a representation of anything perceived before; the power of combining and modifying such objects into new pictures or images; the power of readily and happily creating and recalling such objects for the purpose of amusement, wit, or embellishment; imagination.

To prefer and maintain (an action) as a regular habit or activity.

An image or representation of anything formed in the mind; conception; thought; idea; conceit.

(obsolete) To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).

An opinion or notion formed without much reflection; caprice; whim; impression.

(archaic) To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly.

Inclination; liking, formed by caprice rather than reason; as, to strike one's fancy; hence, the object of inclination or liking.

To find attractive; to prefer the company of; to have mild romantic feelings for.

That which pleases or entertains the taste or caprice without much use or value.

(obsolete) To liken; to compare.

A sort of love song or light impromptu ballad.

To show support for, or approval of, something posted on the Internet by marking it with a vote.

To figure to one's self; to believe or imagine something without proof.

(with 'would' and in certain other phrases) To want, desire. See also would like.

To love.

To accept as an input.

To form a conception of; to portray in the mind; to imagine.

To be likely.

To have a fancy for; to like; to be pleased with, particularly on account of external appearance or manners.

Something that a person likes (prefers).

To believe without sufficient evidence; to imagine (something which is unreal).

(internet) An individual vote showing support for, approval of, or enjoyment of, something posted on the Internet.

Adapted to please the fancy or taste, especially when of high quality or unusually appealing; ornamental; as, fancy goods; fancy clothes.

(sometimes as the likes of) Someone similar to a given person, or something similar to a given object; a comparative; a type; a sort.

Extravagant; above real value.

(golf) The stroke that equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side.

Something many people believe that is false;

Similar.

Fancy was held by Coleridge to be more casual and superficial than imagination

Likely; probable.

A predisposition to like something;

Inclined (to), prone (to).

Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;

Likely.

Have a fancy or particular liking or desire for;

In a like or similar manner.

Not plain; decorative or ornamented;

(colloquial) As, the way.

As if; as though.

Similar to, reminiscent of

Typical of

Approximating

In the manner of, similarly to

Such as

As if there would be

Used to ask for a description or opinion of someone or something

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.

Equal, or nearly equal; as, fields of like extent.

Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely.

Inclined toward; disposed to; as, to feel like taking a walk.

That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy.

A liking; a preference; inclination; - usually in pl.; as, we all have likes and dislikes.

The stroke which equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side; as, to play the like.

In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him.

In a like or similar manner.

Likely; probably.

To suit; to please; to be agreeable to.

To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy.

To liken; to compare.

To be pleased; to choose.

To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).

Prefer or wish to do something;

Find enjoyable or agreeable;

Be fond of;

Feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard;

Want to have;

Resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination;

Equal in amount or value;

Having the same or similar characteristics;

Conforming in every respect;