licking
Americannoun
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Informal.
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a beating or thrashing.
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a reversal or disappointment; defeat or setback.
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the act of a person or thing that licks.
noun
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a beating
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a defeat
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of licking
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at lick, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A French teen facing criminal charges in Singapore for a straw licking stunt was granted permission on Wednesday to leave the country for three weeks on pledges to return.
From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026
But instead of attacking, the smaller ants climb onto the bigger ones and begin licking and nibbling across their bodies.
From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026
England will be licking their lips at the opportunity to bounce back against Ireland on Saturday.
From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026
Lower rates would be welcome news for tech investors, who are still licking their wounds from the past week.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
He could hear Wolf licking the snow from his paws; ice sliding from his own shoulders.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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.
