1. Preposition:
* Similar to: This is the most common use of "like". It indicates a similarity between two things.
* Example: "She looks like her mother."
* Such as: This use introduces examples or illustrations.
* Example: "I love fruits like apples and oranges."
2. Adverb:
* Similarly: This use expresses resemblance or similarity in a more formal way.
* Example: "He behaves like a spoiled child."
3. Interjection:
* Expression of surprise, agreement, or acknowledgement: This is often used in informal conversation.
* Example: "Like, wow, that's amazing!"
4. As a filler word:
* Used for hesitation or to gain time in speech: This is a common feature of casual speech and can be considered less formal.
* Example: "Like, I don't know, maybe..."
5. Verb:
* To enjoy or find something pleasing: This is a more informal use of "like".
* Example: "I like pizza."
* To prefer one thing over another:
* Example: "I like this book better than that one."
The meaning of "like" is highly dependent on its context and the surrounding words. It's important to consider the overall sentence structure and meaning to determine its exact function.