What does disliking mean?
Disliking refers to the feeling of aversion or distaste that arises when we do not like a person, thing, or situation. It functions both as a noun — as in 'her disliking of crowded places' — and as the present participle of the verb 'dislike', meaning to regard something with displeasure. As a noun, it often appears in the idiomatic phrase 'to take a disliking to someone', which captures the swift, sometimes irrational way humans form negative first impressions. Synonyms such as aversion, antipathy, and distaste vary in intensity: a disliking can be mild and passing, whereas antipathy implies deeper hostility. The word derives from the prefix 'dis-', indicating negation, joined to 'like', making its meaning transparent: the straightforward absence of liking. Though common in everyday speech and writing, it carries no strong register — it suits casual conversation and formal prose alike.
A feeling of aversion, distaste, or disinclination toward someone or something.
"She confessed her disliking for reality television without apology."
Most idiomatic in the phrase 'take a disliking to'; elsewhere, 'dislike' is often preferred.
Present participle of 'dislike': regarding someone or something with displeasure or aversion.
"He was known for disliking small talk of any kind."
Rarely used in the plural; the singular or uncountable sense is standard, though 'dislikings' occasionally appears when referring to multiple distinct aversions.
"The questionnaire asked respondents to list their likes and dislikings."
You can 'take a disliking to' someone in an instant — English lets you acquire this aversion faster than almost any other feeling it names.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of disliking
Disliking comes from the verb 'dislike', formed in English by attaching the negating prefix 'dis-' (from Latin) to 'like', a native Old English word meaning to be pleased by or find agreeable. The verb 'dislike' emerged in the late Middle English period, and its noun and participial forms followed shortly after. Cognate formations using the same pattern of 'dis-' plus a native verb include words such as 'disfavor' and 'disapprove', which entered English through French and Latin routes respectively.
Related word forms
How disliking is actually used
As a noun, 'disliking' is somewhat less common than plain 'dislike'; it appears most naturally in the fixed expression 'take a disliking to somebody/something', which suggests a sudden, often instinctive aversion. In other contexts, 'dislike' or 'aversion' usually sounds more natural.
Easily confused with disliking
'Dislike' is the standard noun form ('a dislike of crowds'), while 'disliking' is the gerund/present participle form used more often as a verb or in constructions like 'took a disliking to'.