liking

liking — noun

1. a positive emotional response toward a person, thing, or activity — you feel ple

1.nounB1
Definition

a positive emotional response toward a person, thing, or activity — you feel pleased when you spend time with that person or do that thing

Example

From the first day of school, Ravi had a strong liking for his history teacher.

have a liking for [person]

The stray cat showed its liking for Leila by rubbing against her leg every morning.

show one's liking for [person/animal]

Common collocations
  • have a liking for
  • show a liking for
  • mutual liking
  • strong liking
  • particular liking
  • great liking
Synonyms
  • fondness

    softer and more gentle than 'liking'; often used for people or small animals

  • affection

    stronger emotional bond, usually between people who are close

  • taste

    focuses on personal preference in style or aesthetics, less emotional than 'liking'

Antonyms
  • dislike

    a direct opposite — a negative feeling toward someone or something

  • aversion

    a strong and active feeling of not wanting to be near something

Grammar Patterns

have a liking for + noun/gerund

show a liking for + noun/gerund

Usage Note

Typically used with the verb 'have' or 'show', followed by the preposition 'for' and a noun or gerund. Describes a sustained positive feeling rather than a passing preference.

Common Mistakes

I have a liking for play tennis.
I have a liking for playing tennis.
After 'liking for,' use a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not a bare verb.
I have a liking to coffee.
I have a liking for coffee.
The correct preposition after 'liking' in this sense is 'for,' not 'to.'

2. the standard by which a person judges whether something is suitable, enjoyable,

2.nounB2
Definition

the standard by which a person judges whether something is suitable, enjoyable, or acceptable — used in fixed phrases that compare how things are with how someone would prefer them to be

Example

The room temperature was much warmer than usual for Theo's liking.

too [adj] / more [adj] than usual for one's liking

If the sauce is not to your liking, the chef can prepare a different one.

to one's liking (suitable for someone)

Common collocations
  • to one's liking
  • for one's liking
  • exactly to
  • not to
  • too + adjective + for + possessive + liking
Synonyms
  • taste

    closest synonym; 'to one's taste' is an alternative form of 'to one's liking'

  • preference

    more general; does not fit in the phrase 'to one's preference' as naturally

Grammar Patterns

too + adjective + for + possessive + liking

to + possessive + liking

Usage Note

This sense appears almost entirely in two fixed phrase patterns: (1) 'to + possessive + liking' meaning 'suitable for someone,' and (2) 'too + adjective + for + possessive + liking' meaning 'more than someone prefers.' The possessive must match the subject of the sentence.

Common Mistakes

The food is to my liking taste.
The food is to my liking.
'To one's liking' is a complete phrase; do not add extra words like 'taste' or 'style.'
This music is not for my liking.
This music is not to my liking.
The correct preposition in the suitability phrase is 'to,' not 'for.' ('For one's liking' is used with patterns like 'too hot for my liking.')
Idioms

for your liking

idiom

Used to say that something is not the way you prefer it, often because it is too much or too little of something.

The music was too loud for my liking at the party.

Is the soup too salty for your liking, Mia?

to your liking

idiom

Means that something is exactly as you want or prefer it to be.

The hotel room was arranged to our liking with fresh flowers.

She adjusted the painting until it was to her liking.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a positive evaluation of someone or something, but they differ in emotional weight and use. 'Liking' is a general, neutral term — it can apply to people, food, music, or activities. 'Fondness' is warmer and gentler, often used for people, pets, or childhood memories ('a fondness for old photographs'). 'Affection' implies a deeper emotional bond and is reserved for close relationships ('parental affection'). 'Taste' and 'preference' are more about personal choice than emotion: 'taste' often refers to aesthetics or style ('her taste in art'), while 'preference' suggests choosing one option over another ('a preference for tea over coffee'). A 'liking' can grow into a 'fondness,' but a 'preference' is usually a conscious decision rather than a feeling.

fondness ↗affection ↗taste ↗preference ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • to one's liking
  • for one's liking

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The noun 'liking' comes from Middle English 'likinge' (delight, pleasure), which developed from Old English 'līcung' (gratification, approval). At its root is the Old English verb 'līcian' (to be pleasing), which traces back to the Proto-Germanic root *līkōną and further to the Proto-Indo-European *leig- (to be similar, to resemble). The noun has been used in English since before the 12th century and originally carried a stronger sense of pleasure or delight than its modern meaning.