When used as prepositions, like means similar to, reminiscent of, whereas unlike means differently from. When used as verbs, like means to please, whereas unlike means to dislike. When used as adjectives, like means similar, whereas unlike means not like.

Like terms are the terms in an algebraic expression that can be added or subtracted together. An example of similar or like terms is 3x, 16x as the same variable term. Unlike terms are the terms in an expression, where they can’t be added or subtracted together. Dissimilar terms example si 3xy, 4x.