Like vs. Crush — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Like" is a general feeling of fondness or enjoyment towards someone, typically less intense, while a "crush" is a strong infatuation, often idealized and more intense.
Difference Between Like and Crush
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Like represents a broad spectrum of positive feelings towards another person, suggesting appreciation and general fondness. Whereas a crush is a specific, intense infatuation that usually focuses on romantic attraction and often involves idealizing the other person.
While liking someone can evolve from and into various forms of relationships, including friendship or mild romantic interest, a crush is typically characterized by a more acute, sometimes overwhelming sense of attraction that is primarily romantic and can feel consuming.
Liking someone is generally a stable and comfortable emotion that can be felt towards friends, family members, or colleagues without necessarily desiring a deeper relationship. On the other hand, having a crush can involve a mix of emotions that might include nervousness, excitement, and a desire for a romantic relationship.
In terms of expression, liking someone can be shown through acts of kindness, spending time together, and showing consistent support. Meanwhile, a crush might manifest through daydreaming, seeking attention, or an increased focus on trying to impress or be near the person.
The longevity and impact of these feelings differ; liking someone can be a long-lasting and sustainable emotion, contributing to deep and enduring relationships. Conversely, crushes can be intense but are often short-lived, fading as quickly as they arise or when the reality of the relationship becomes clearer.
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Comparison Chart
Intensity
Mild to moderate
Strong and often overwhelming
Focus
General appreciation
Romantic attraction
Stability
Stable and enduring
Often fleeting and intense
Relationship Type
Can be platonic or mild romantic
Primarily romantic
Emotional Undertones
Comfort and affection
Nervousness, excitement
Compare with Definitions
Like
Feeling of general fondness or enjoyment.
She likes her classmate because of his honesty.
Crush
Strong and often idealized romantic interest.
He has a crush on his coworker and thinks about her all the time.
Like
Appreciation without strong romantic feelings.
They like each other and collaborate well at work.
Crush
May not lead to a long-term relationship.
Once she talked to him more, her crush quickly faded.
Like
Can develop in any type of relationship.
I like my teacher; she explains things very clearly.
Crush
Involves intense feelings of attraction.
Her crush on the actor fills her room with posters.
Like
Moderate affection towards someone.
He likes his neighbor for her friendly nature.
Crush
Characterized by emotional highs and lows.
Talking to his crush always makes him extremely nervous.
Like
Stable and comfortable emotion.
She has liked her friend for years because of his loyal nature.
Crush
Typically seen in younger individuals.
Teenagers often experience crushes during school years.
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.
Crush
To press between opposing bodies so as to break, compress, or injure
The falling rock crushed the car.
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
Crush
To break, pound, or grind (stone or ore, for example) into small fragments or powder.
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
Crush
To put down with force; subdue
The regime crushed the rebellion.
Like
Such as; for example
The cautionary vision of works like Animal Farm and 1984
Crush
To overwhelm or oppress severely
Spirits that had been crushed by rejection and failure.
Like
In the same way that; as
People who change countries like they change clothes
Crush
To defeat overwhelmingly
Our team was crushed in the playoffs.
Like
As though; as if
I felt like I'd been kicked by a camel
Crush
To crumple or rumple
Crushed the freshly ironed shirt.
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
Crush
To hug, especially with great force.
Like
The things one likes or prefers
A wide variety of likes, dislikes, tastes, and income levels
Crush
To hit or propel with great force
A swing of the bat that crushed a fastball over the wall.
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
Crush
To press upon, shove, or crowd.
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
Crush
To extract or obtain by pressing or squeezing
Crush juice from a grape.
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?’
Crush
To be or become crushed
Aluminum cans crush easily.
Like
In the manner of
Like as a ship with dreadful storm long tossed
Crush
To proceed or move by crowding or pressing
The fans crushed forward to get a glimpse of the movie star.
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
Crush
The act of crushing or the pressure involved in crushing
Matter superheated by the crush of gravity around black holes.
Like
Wish for; want
I'd like to hire a car
Would you like a cup of coffee?
I'd like you to stay
Crush
A great crowd
A crush of spectators.
Like
To find pleasant or attractive; enjoy
Do you like ice cream? I like your style.
Crush
A substance prepared by or as if by crushing, especially a fruit drink
Orange crush.
Like
To want to have
I would like some coffee.
Crush
A usually temporary infatuation
Had a crush on her friend's cousin.
Like
To prefer
How would you like your coffee—with sugar or without?.
Crush
One who is the object of such an infatuation.
Like
To feel about; regard
How do you like these new theater seats?.
Crush
A violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
Like
To believe or predict that (a certain competitor) will win a contest
Which team do you like in tonight's game?.
Crush
Violent pressure, as of a moving crowd.
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.
Crush
A violent crowding.
Like
(Archaic) To be pleasing to.
Crush
A crowd that produces uncomfortable pressure.
A crush at a reception
Like
To have an inclination or a preference
If you like, we can meet you there.
Crush
(slang) A group or gang.
Like
(Scots) To be pleased.
Crush
A crowd control barrier.
Like
Something that is liked; a preference
Made a list of his likes and dislikes.
Crush
A drink made by squeezing the juice out of fruit.
Like
One similar to or like another. Used with the
Was subject to coughs, asthma, and the like.
Crush
(informal) An infatuation with somebody one is not dating.
I've had a huge crush on her since we met many years ago.
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.
Crush
The human object of such infatuation or affection.
Like
Possessing the characteristics of; resembling closely; similar to
Your house is like mine.
Crush
A standing stock or cage with movable sides used to restrain livestock for safe handling.
Like
In the typical manner of
It's not like you to take offense.
Crush
(dated) A party or festive function.
Like
In the same way as
Lived like royalty.
Crush
(Australia) The process of crushing cane to remove the raw sugar, or the season when this process takes place.
Like
Inclined or disposed to
Felt like running away.
Crush
The situation where certain colors are so similar as to be hard to distinguish, either as a deliberate effect or as a limitation of a display.
Black crush; white crush
Like
As if the probability exists for
Looks like a bad year for farmers.
Crush
A paraphilia involving arousal from seeing things destroyed by crushing.
Like
Such as; for example
Saved things like old newspapers and pieces of string.
Crush
To press between two hard objects; to squeeze so as to alter the natural shape or integrity, or to force together into a mass.
To crush grapes
Like
Possessing the same or almost the same characteristics; similar
On this and like occasions.
Crush
To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding.
To crush quartz
Like
In the manner of being; as if. Used as an intensifier of action
Worked like hell.
Ran like crazy.
Crush
(figurative) To overwhelm by pressure or weight.
After the corruption scandal, the opposition crushed the ruling party in the elections
Like
(Informal) Probably; likely
Like as not she'll change her mind.
Crush
To do impressively well at (sports events; performances; interviews; etc.).
They had a gig recently at Madison Square—totally crushed it!
Like
Nearly; approximately
The price is more like 1,000 dollars.
Crush
To oppress or grievously burden.
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.
Crush
(intransitive) To be or become broken down or in, or pressed into a smaller volume or area, by external weight or force.
An eggshell crushes easily
Like
In the same way that; as
To dance like she does requires great discipline.
Crush
To feel infatuation or unrequited love.
She's crushing on him.
Like
As if
It looks like we'll finish on time.
Crush
To give a compressed or foreshortened appearance to.
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.
Crush
To make certain colors so similar as to be hard to distinguish, either as a deliberate effect or as a limitation of a display.
My old TV set crushes the blacks when the brightness is lowered.
Like
To please.
Crush
To press or bruise between two hard bodies; to squeeze, so as to destroy the natural shape or integrity of the parts, or to force together into a mass; as, to crush grapes.
Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut.
The ass . . . thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall.
Like
(obsolete) To derive pleasure of, by or with someone or something.
Crush
To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding; to comminute; as, to crush quartz.
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.
Crush
To overwhelm by pressure or weight; to beat or force down, as by an incumbent weight.
To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.
Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again.
Like
(obsolete) To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).
Crush
To oppress or burden grievously.
Thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway.
Like
(archaic) To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly.
He liked to have been too late.
Crush
To overcome completely; to subdue totally.
Speedily overtaking and crushing the rebels.
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.
Crush
To subdue or overwhelm (a person) by argument or a cutting remark; to cause (a person) to feel chagrin or humiliation; to squelch.
Like
(obsolete) To liken; to compare.
Crush
To be or become broken down or in, or pressed into a smaller compass, by external weight or force; as, an eggshell crushes easily.
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.
Crush
A violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds.
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.
Crush
Violent pressure, as of a crowd; a crowd which produced uncomfortable pressure; as, a crush at a reception.
Politics leave very little time for the bow window at White's in the day, or for the crush room of the opera at night.
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.
Crush
Leather that has had its grain pattern accentuated
Like
To be likely.
Crush
A dense crowd of people
Like
Something that a person likes (prefers).
Tell me your likes and dislikes.
Crush
Temporary love of an adolescent
Like
(internet) An individual vote showing support for, approval of, or enjoyment of, something posted on the Internet.
Crush
The act of crushing
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.
Crush
Come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority;
The government oppresses political activists
Like
(golf) The stroke that equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side.
To play the like
Crush
To compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition;
Crush an aluminum can
Squeeze a lemon
Like
Similar.
My partner and I have like minds.
The two cats were as like as though they had come from the same litter.
Crush
Come out better in a competition, race, or conflict;
Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship
We beat the competition
Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game
Like
Likely; probable.
Crush
Break into small pieces;
The car crushed the toy
Like
Inclined (to), prone (to).
He seems like to run from any semblance of hard work.
Crush
Crush or bruise;
Jam a toe
Like
Likely.
Crush
Make ineffective;
Martin Luther King tried to break down racial discrimination
Like
In a like or similar manner.
Crush
Become injured, broken, or distorted by pressure;
The plastic bottle crushed against the wall
Like
(colloquial) As, the way.
Like
As if; as though.
It looks like you've finished the project.
It seemed like you didn't care.
Like
Similar to, reminiscent of
Like
Typical of
It would be just like Achilles to be sulking in his tent.
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
Common Curiosities
Can a like turn into a crush?
Yes, feelings of like can intensify into a crush as romantic feelings develop.
Can you have a crush on someone you don’t know well?
Yes, crushes often involve idealizing someone without knowing them deeply, based on initial impressions or superficial traits.
Is it possible to have a crush without liking someone?
Typically, a crush involves liking someone, but it can be more focused on romantic or idealized aspects.
How do crushes usually end?
Crushes can end when the person develops a deeper understanding of the other, or when the intense feelings naturally diminish over time.
What is the main difference between like and crush?
"Like" is a general feeling of fondness, while a "crush" is an intense romantic infatuation.
How long do crushes last?
The duration of crushes varies; they can last for a few weeks to several months, often depending on whether the feelings are reciprocated or not.
Is it normal to have a crush on someone and like someone else?
Yes, it's possible and normal to have a crush on one person while liking another, as they involve different levels of emotional investment.
How do you know if you like someone versus having a crush on them?
Liking someone involves stable, comfortable feelings, while having a crush is characterized by intense, often consuming emotions.
Can adults experience crushes?
Yes, adults can and do experience crushes, although they may handle these feelings differently compared to younger people.
Is liking someone enough to pursue a relationship?
Liking someone can be a good foundation for a relationship, but mutual interest and compatibility are also important factors.
What are common signs of having a crush?
Common signs include frequent thoughts about the person, nervousness when around them, and a desire to impress or be noticed by them.
What makes a crush different from love?
A crush is usually based on idealization and infatuation without a deep emotional connection, whereas love is deeper, involves mutual understanding and commitment.
Why do crushes feel so intense?
Crushes can feel intense due to idealization, the novelty of romantic feelings, and often unrequited or uncertain outcomes.
How should you act on a crush?
Acting on a crush should be approached with respect and consideration for both parties' feelings and boundaries.
Does everyone experience crushes?
Most people experience crushes at some point, but it's not universal; individual experiences with romantic feelings vary.
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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.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
