lick

American  

[lik] / lɪk /

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. salt lick.

4. 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.

5. Usually licks. a critical or complaining remark.

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

verb phrase

1. lick up to lap up; devour greedily.

idioms

1. lick into shape, to bring to completion or perfection through discipline, hard work, etc..

   They needed another rehearsal to lick the production into shape.

2. lick one's chops. chop.

3. lick ass, kiss.

4. 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.

5. last licks, a final turn or opportunity.

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

6. lick the dust. dust.

7. lick one's wounds. wound.

lick British  

/ 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. 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. to anticipate or recall something with glee or relish

6. to retire after a defeat or setback in order to husband one's resources

7. See boot 1

---

noun

1. an instance of passing the tongue over something

2. a small amount

   a lick of paint

3. Also called: salt 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. something hastily done, esp a hurried wash

Other Word Forms

• licker noun

Etymology

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)

Example Sentences

England will lick their wounds after yet another crushing defeat by Scotland, but even if a potential Grand Slam has gone, they still have a championship to play for.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

Nothing seems to ruffle his fur as this political veteran glides from crisis to crisis with feline calm, and the lick of a paw.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

The results are wondrous and unsettling: People without a lick of coding experience are building things that once required trained software developers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Until high school, I didn’t speak a lick of any language other than English — save for some rudimentary Spanish counting and what little of Spanish and French that kids pick up through the media.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

He came to me and tried to push his head up under my arms so he could lick my face.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• caress
• fondle
• graze
• rub
• soothe
• wash