liking

• IPA^(key): /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
• Rhymes: -aɪkɪŋ

From Middle English likinge, likinde, likende, likande, licande, from Old English līciende, līciġende, from Proto-Germanic *līkijandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *līkijaną, equivalent to like +‎ -ing.

liking

1. present participle of like

From Middle English likinge, from Old English līcung (“pleasing; pleasure; gratification; liking”), equivalent to like +‎ -ing.

liking (countable and uncountable, plural likings)

1. A like; a predilection.
   • 2012 September 15, Amy Lawrence, “Arsenal's Gervinho enjoys the joy of six against lowly Southampton”, in the Guardian‎:

     The Ivorian is a player with such a liking for improvisation it does not usually look like he has any more idea than anyone else what he is going to do next, so it was an interesting choice.

   • John Stuart Mill

     The likings and dislikings of society, or of some powerful portion of it, are thus the main thing which has practically determined the rules laid down for general observance, under the penalties of law or opinion.

2. (archaic) Approval.

   goods bought on liking

• See Thesaurus:predilection

• for one's liking
• to one's liking
• take a liking to