lick

[ lik ]

/ lɪk /

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See synonyms for: lick / 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.

salt lick.

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.

SYNONYMS FOR lick

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

See synonyms for lick on Thesaurus.com

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Idioms for 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for lick

There’s scant evidence that labels make a lick of difference to viewers.
Twitter and Facebook warning labels aren’t enough to save democracy|Geoffrey Fowler|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
Wherever I gits throwed, there my rifle, and my matches, and my licker gits throwed too!
The Way of a Man|Emerson Hough
He sneeringly replied: "I pay fur my licker an' it's nun uf yer dam business how much I drink uf it."
Watch Yourself Go By|Al. G. Field
Lh-shee, the Licker; a half-breed warrior, called Creek Billey.
Adventures of the Ojibbeway and Ioway Indians in England, France, and Belgium; Vol. I (of 2)|George Catlin

It's a good idee to occasionally instruct the stummick that it mustn't depend excloosively on licker for its sustainance.
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward|Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)
Consekens was, I presented myself at Betsy's bedside late at night with consid'ble licker concealed about my person.
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward|Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)

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

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lick

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Verb Phrases

SYNONYMS FOR lick

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Idioms for lick

Origin of lick

OTHER WORDS FROM lick

Example sentences from the Web for lick

British Dictionary definitions for lick

verb

noun

Derived forms of lick

Word Origin for lick

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

lick

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Verb Phrases

SYNONYMS FOR lick

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Meet Grammar Coach

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Idioms for lick

Origin of lick

OTHER WORDS FROM lick

Words related to lick

Example sentences from the Web for lick

British Dictionary definitions for lick

verb

noun

Derived forms of lick

Word Origin for lick