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British

lick

[ lik ]

/ lɪk /

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See synonyms for: lick / licked / licking on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.

to make, or cause to become, by stroking with the tongue: to lick a spoon clean.

(of waves, flames, etc.) to pass or play lightly over: The flame licked the dry timber.

Informal.

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

verb (used without object)

to move quickly or lightly.

noun

a stroke of the tongue over something.

as much as can be taken up by one stroke of the tongue.

Informal.

a blow.
a brief, brisk burst of activity or energy.
a quick pace or clip; speed.
a small amount: I haven't done a lick of work all week.

Usually licks. a critical or complaining remark.

Usually licks. Jazz Slang. a musical phrase, as by a soloist in improvising.

Verb Phrases

lick up, to lap up; devour greedily.

OTHER WORDS FOR lick

9a thwack, thump, rap, slap, cuff, buffet.

See synonyms for lick on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR LICK

How This Teacher Remembers Her Most Memorable Student Question

A couple years ago, one of this teacher's students asked her a question that really threw her for a loop. Do you know the answer?

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QUIZ

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Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

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Idioms about lick

last licks, a final turn or opportunity: We got in our last licks on the tennis court before the vacation ended.

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.

lick ass, Slang: Vulgar. kiss (def. 18).

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.

lick one's chops. chop³ (def. 7).

lick one's wounds. wound¹ (def. 6).

lick the dust. dust (def. 24).

Origin of lick

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)

OTHER WORDS FROM lick

licker, noun

Words nearby lick

lichi, lich stone, licht, Lichtenstein, licit, lick, lick-alike, licker-in, lickerish, lickety-split, licking

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use lick in a sentence

Its big, comforting body, warmer temperature, slower heartbeat and, should luck favor, a few validating licks should work together to relax you.
The Joy Of Idle Living|Sohini Das Gupta|August 29, 2021|Ozy
The dog pen is all licks, wiggles and eye contact, Salomons says.
Even raised by people, wolves don’t tune into you like your dog|Jaime Chambers|August 16, 2021|Science News For Students
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.
Mammal brains may use the same circuits to control tongues and limbs|Charles Q. Choi|May 19, 2021|Science News
“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.
So many pets have been adopted during the pandemic that shelters are running out|Dana Hedgpeth|January 6, 2021|Washington Post

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.
Forget Everything You Know About Your Dog (Ep. 436)|Stephen J. Dubner|October 22, 2020|Freakonomics
Grizzlies lick them up by the thousands, and the media has made a big deal out of Yellowstone bears eating these bugs.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I remember practicing that lick [from the solo “Round Midnight” recording] years ago, learning how to do that cascade effect.
Herbie Hancock Holds Forth|David Yaffe|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another intriguing fact about the original is that Sam Levene, who played Nathan, couldn't sing a lick and said so.
New York’s Greatest Show Or How They Did Not Screw Up ‘Guys and Dolls’|Ross Wetzsteon|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Elsewhere in the song, Kelly compares himself to the cookie monster and cleverly sings “I love to lick the middle like an Oreo.”
R. Kelly’s Craziest Lyrics From ‘Black Panties,’ Analyzed|Chancellor Agard|December 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“I can still see the lick Marshall put on Ferguson,” said Ditka.
The Hit Heard Around the World|Rich Cohen|November 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Well, thinks I, this is no joke sure, at this lick I'll have family enuff to do me in a few years.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
Why, Dan Daly and half a dozen of our fellows would lick the whole crowd.
Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser|Walter Fenton Mott
Then they came back to where their friend lay on the ground, and began to talk with him and lick his face.
Stories the Iroquois Tell Their Children|Mabel Powers
He stooped and stroked the little animal, who stood on ridiculous hind-legs, straining to lick his hand.
The Creators|May Sinclair
He wudden't know whether I swept or dusted rightly, or whether I gave the place a lick and a promise.
In the Onyx Lobby|Carolyn Wells

British Dictionary definitions for lick

lick

/ (lɪk) /

verb

(tr) to pass the tongue over, esp in order to taste or consume

to flicker or move lightly over or round (something)the flames licked around the door

(tr) informal

to defeat or vanquish
to flog or thrash
to be or do much better than

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

lick one's lips to anticipate or recall something with glee or relish

lick one's wounds to retire after a defeat or setback in order to husband one's resources

lick the boots of See boot 1 (def. 14)

noun

an instance of passing the tongue over something

a small amounta lick of paint

Also called: salt lick a block of compressed salt or chemical matter provided for domestic animals to lick for medicinal and nutritional purposes

a place to which animals go to lick exposed natural deposits of salt

informal a hit; blow

slang a short musical phrase, usually on one instrument

informal speed; rate of movementhe was going at quite a lick when he hit it

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

Derived forms of lick

licker, noun

Word Origin for lick

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012