Advertisement

View synonyms for lick

lick

[ lik ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat (often followed by up, off, from, etc.):

    to lick a postage stamp; to lick an ice-cream cone.

  2. to make, or cause to become, by stroking with the tongue:

    to lick a spoon clean.

  3. (of waves, flames, etc.) to pass or play lightly over:

    The flame licked the dry timber.

  4. Informal.
    1. to hit or beat, especially as a punishment; thrash; whip.
    2. to overcome or defeat, as in a fight, game, or contest.
    3. to outdo or surpass.


verb (used without object)

  1. to move quickly or lightly.

noun

  1. a stroke of the tongue over something.
  2. as much as can be taken up by one stroke of the tongue.
  3. Informal.
    1. a blow.
    2. a brief, brisk burst of activity or energy.
    3. a quick pace or clip; speed.
    4. a small amount:

      I haven't done a lick of work all week.

  4. Usually licks. a critical or complaining remark.
  5. Usually licks. Jazz Slang. a musical phrase, as by a soloist in improvising.

verb phrase

  1. to lap up; devour greedily.

lick

/ lɪk /

verb

  1. tr to pass the tongue over, esp in order to taste or consume
  2. to flicker or move lightly over or round (something)

    the flames licked around the door

  3. informal.
    tr
    1. to defeat or vanquish
    2. to flog or thrash
    3. to be or do much better than
  4. lick into shape
    lick into shape to put into a satisfactory condition: from the former belief that bear cubs were born formless and had to be licked into shape by their mother
  5. lick one's lips
    lick one's lips to anticipate or recall something with glee or relish
  6. lick one's wounds
    lick one's wounds to retire after a defeat or setback in order to husband one's resources
  7. See boot
    lick the boots of
    lick the boots of See boot 1


noun

  1. an instance of passing the tongue over something
  2. a small amount

    a lick of paint

  3. Also calledsalt lick a block of compressed salt or chemical matter provided for domestic animals to lick for medicinal and nutritional purposes
  4. a place to which animals go to lick exposed natural deposits of salt
  5. informal.
    a hit; blow
  6. slang.
    a short musical phrase, usually on one instrument
  7. informal.
    speed; rate of movement

    he was going at quite a lick when he hit it

  8. a lick and a promise
    a lick and a promise something hastily done, esp a hurried wash

Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈlicker, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • licker noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lick1

before 1000; Middle English; Old English liccian, cognate with Old Saxon liccōn, Old High German leckōn; akin to Go bilaigon, Latin lingere, Greek leíchein to lick (up)

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of lick1

Old English liccian; related to Old High German leckon, Latin lingere, Greek leikhein

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. last licks, a final turn or opportunity:

    We got in our last licks on the tennis court before the vacation ended.

  2. lick and a promise, a hasty and perfunctory performance in doing something:

    I didn't have time to clean thoroughly, so I gave the room a lick and a promise.

  3. lick ass, Slang: Vulgar. kiss ( def 18 ).
  4. lick into shape, Informal. to bring to completion or perfection through discipline, hard work, etc.:

    They needed another rehearsal to lick the production into shape.

  5. lick one's chops. chop 3( def 7 ).
  6. lick one's wounds. wound 1( def 6 ).
  7. lick the dust. dust ( def 24 ).

Discover More

Example Sentences

Its big, comforting body, warmer temperature, slower heartbeat and, should luck favor, a few validating licks should work together to relax you.

From Ozy

The dog pen is all licks, wiggles and eye contact, Salomons says.

With the help of artificial intelligence to develop 3-D simulations of the appendages, the researchers discovered that successful licks required previously unknown corrective movements, too fast to be seen in standard video.

“She was cute, and I could see she was nice,” Ross said, noting how much she and her 10-year-old daughter enjoy taking the dog on walks and getting licks.

Since these “greeting licks” are often accompanied by wagging tails, mouths playfully open, and general excitement, it is not a stretch to say that the licks are a way to express happiness that you have returned.

Grizzlies lick them up by the thousands, and the media has made a big deal out of Yellowstone bears eating these bugs.

I remember practicing that lick [from the solo “Round Midnight” recording] years ago, learning how to do that cascade effect.

Another intriguing fact about the original is that Sam Levene, who played Nathan, couldn't sing a lick and said so.

Elsewhere in the song, Kelly compares himself to the cookie monster and cleverly sings “I love to lick the middle like an Oreo.”

“I can still see the lick Marshall put on Ferguson,” said Ditka.

Well, thinks I, this is no joke sure, at this lick I'll have family enuff to do me in a few years.

Why, Dan Daly and half a dozen of our fellows would lick the whole crowd.

Then they came back to where their friend lay on the ground, and began to talk with him and lick his face.

He stooped and stroked the little animal, who stood on ridiculous hind-legs, straining to lick his hand.

He wudden't know whether I swept or dusted rightly, or whether I gave the place a lick and a promise.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


licitlick-alike