In an algebraic expression, like terms are terms that differ only in their numerical coefficients.
Example
In the algebraic expression 4\(xy^{2}\) – 2\(x^{2}y\) + 3\(x^{2}y^{2}\) – 5\(xy^{2}\), the terms 4\(xy^{2}\) and –5\(xy^{2}\) are like terms.