What this suffix does
-like attaches to a noun to mean "similar to that" or "having the qualities of that": godlike, dreamlike, lifelike (realistic), warlike (aggressive), businesslike (efficient, professional).
ESEN
Suffix · forms adjectives
-like
Forms adjectives meaning "similar to X": dreamlike, lifelike, childlike (having a child's qualities, in a positive sense). It is fairly productive, you can attach it to almost any noun.
In Spanish: -esco / -ino / parecido aIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
childlike vs. childish: the most useful distinction
"childlike" = having the POSITIVE qualities of a child: innocence, wonder, openness. "childish" = having the NEGATIVE qualities: immaturity, tantrums. "She had a childlike wonder for the world." (positive) "His tantrum was childish." (negative) Same pattern with "womanly" (positive) vs "womanish" (negative).
Hyphenated or not
Short, well-established combinations are written solid: godlike, dreamlike, childlike, lifelike. Longer or less common ones take a hyphen: snail-like, robot-like. When in doubt, use a hyphen.
How it is formed
Noun + like. Produces adjectives meaning "resembling X" or "characteristic of X."
- divine/mythicgod = godlikeangel = angelliketitan = titanlike
- natural/etherealdream = dreamlikeghost = ghostlikemist = mistlikewave = wavelikesilk = silklike
- human qualitieschild = childlikelady = ladylikewar = warlikebusiness = businesslikelife = lifelike
Hyphenation varies: short, established compounds (godlike, dreamlike, childlike) are written solid. Longer or less-established ones use a hyphen (snail-like, robot-like). When in doubt, hyphenate.
How it is pronounced
-like/laɪk/ · rhymes with bike
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -like
In a phrase
- godgodlikeHis performance on stage was almost godlike.
- dreamdreamlikeThe whole trip felt dreamlike, like it wasn't really happening.
- lifelifelikeThe wax figure looked so lifelike it was creepy.
- warwarlikeThe tribe had a warlike reputation among its neighbors.
- childchildlikeShe has a childlike curiosity about everything.
- ghostghostlikeHe moved through the empty house in a ghostlike silence.
- wavewavelikeThe dancers moved in a slow, wavelike motion.
- businessbusinesslikeShe kept the meeting short and businesslike.
- ladyladylikeHer grandmother always told her to sit in a ladylike way.
- earthearthlikeScientists found a new earthlike planet.
Common mistakes
childlike = childish
childlike = innocent, positive; childish = immature, negative
"She had a childlike smile" (charming). "His response was childish" (embarrassing). They are not interchangeable.
all -like adjectives take a hyphen
short, established compounds are written solid: godlike, dreamlike, childlike
The shorter and more familiar the combination, the more likely it is written as one word, no hyphen.
A trick to remember it
"Like" = similar to, one of the most literal suffixes there is: attach it to almost any noun and you get "similar to that" (child-LIKE = similar to a child). The one real trap: childlike (good) and childish (bad) both mention children but are NOT interchangeable.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
"Childlike" and "childish" are...
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Which is a valid, natural -like word?
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
Which one is written solid (no hyphen)?
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -like mean in English?
The suffix -like forms adjectives meaning "similar to X": dreamlike, lifelike, childlike (having a child's qualities, in a positive sense). It is fairly productive, you can attach it to almost any noun. In Spanish it usually maps to -esco / -ino / parecido a.
How do you pronounce -like?
The ending -like is pronounced /laɪk/ · rhymes with bike. For example, "godlike".
Can you give an example of a word with -like?
"god" becomes "godlike". It is a typical example of the -like suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-bound
From the past participle of "bind": forms adjectives meaning "confined by," "heading toward," or "obligated by." Spellbound, earthbound, homebound, hidebound, snowbound, inbound.
-esque
From Italian "-esco": means "in the style of" or "reminiscent of". Kafkaesque, picturesque, grotesque.
-ian / -ean
Turns proper nouns into style or period adjectives: Orwellian = relating to Orwell's ideas of surveillance and totalitarianism.
Learn every English suffix
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