Phrase guide

if you like

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adv

Meaning 1

Please, kindly; used in giving a non-concrete instruction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • But imagine, if you like, a world where climate change did not exist.
  • If you('d) like to come this way.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

So to speak, like; used to indicate that a description is not standard.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • This band's genre can be described as, if you like, New Wave or Post-Punk.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 請 /请 — please, kindly
  • Chinese Mandarin: 煩請 /烦请 (fánqǐng) — please, kindly
  • Finnish: -pa — please, kindly
  • Chinese Mandarin: 可以說 /可以说 (kěyǐ shuō) — so to speak
  • Finnish: niin sanotusti — so to speak
  • Finnish: vaikkapa — so to speak