English

Verb

be like ‎(as be + like)

1. To be similar to something.

   They must be like the last group who stayed.‎

   • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest:

     She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive.

2. (informal, chiefly US) To say

   If he's like "I don't want to", then be like "Pretty please! - it means a lot to me".‎

Synonyms

(to say): be all, be all like

Usage notes

• The use of "like" to mean "say" is considered by many to be overly informal, and normally only occurs in spoken English.
• The words after the "be like" may not actually be what was said, but instead a summary of what was said. Similarly, unlike "say", "be like" may be impersonal, e.g. 'She was really insistent. It was like "I really need that right now!"'
• The words after the "be like" may not actually be spoken, but instead be intended to represent a mood in which that thing might be said.

Translations