licking

[lik-ing]

noun

1. Informal.

   1. a beating or thrashing.

   2. a reversal or disappointment; defeat or setback.

2. the act of a person or thing that licks.

licking

/ ˈlɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. a beating

2. a defeat

Other Word Forms

• nonlicking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of licking¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; lick, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four.

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In a matter of seconds, Woo is snuggled up to the laundry units, licking the parmesan and oregano off the bread.

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“She has too much free time on her hands. Will you give her something to do? I don’t care what it is. I just need to keep her busy, even if it means licking stamps!”

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He said Wall Street “would be licking their chops and delighted to give us the capital.”

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A lot of tennis fans are also licking their lips about seeing Sinner and Alcaraz going head-to-head again - and lamenting it will not happen again for at least another couple of months.

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Related Words

• whipping