First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1lick
verb \ˈlik\
: to pass the tongue over (a surface, an object, etc.)
: to take (something) into your mouth with your tongue
: to lightly touch or go over (a surface)
Full Definition of LICK
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to draw the tongue over (2) : to flicker over like a tongue b : to take into the mouth with the tongue : lap
intransitive verb
1
: to lap with or as if with the tongue
2
: to dart like a tongue
— lick into shape
: to put into proper form or condition
— lick one's chops
: to feel or show eager anticipation
— lick one's wounds
: to recover from defeat or disappointment
See lick defined for English-language learners
See lick defined for kids
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Origin of LICK
Middle English, from Old English liccian; akin to Old High German leckōn to lick, Latin lingere, Greek leichein
Related to LICK
- Synonyms
- bash, baste, bat, batter, belabor, belt, birch, bludgeon, buffet, bung up, club, curry, do, drub, fib [British], flog, hammer, hide, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lash, lather, beat, maul, mess (up), paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, punch out, rough (up), slate, slog, switch, tan, thrash, thresh, thump, tromp, wallop, whale, whip, whop (or whap), whup, work over
- Antonyms
- lose (to)
2lick
noun
: the act of passing your tongue over something : the act of licking something
: a small amount
: a hard hit
Full Definition of LICK
1
2
3
a : a natural salt deposit (as a salt spring) that animals lick b : a block of often medicated saline preparation given to livestock to lick
4
: a musical figure; specifically : an interpolated and usually improvised figure or flourish
See lick defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LICK
1603
Related to LICK
- Synonyms
- bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup [dialect], lash, 1blow, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)
LICK Defined for Kids
1lick
verb \ˈlik\
lickedlick·ing
Definition of LICK for Kids
1
: to pass the tongue over <I licked the spoon.>
2
: to touch or pass over like a tongue <They saw flames licking a wall.>
3
: to hit again and again : beat
4
: to get the better of : defeat <The home team licked their opponents.>
— lick·ing noun <When Mom finds out, you're going to get a licking.>
2lick
noun
Definition of LICK for Kids
1
: the act of passing the tongue over
2
: a small amount <My sister never did a lick of work.>
3
: a place (salt lick) where salt is found or provided for animals
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