lick

[ lik ]

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

verb phrase

1. to lap up; devour greedily.

lick

/ 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. 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
5. lick one's lips
   to anticipate or recall something with glee or relish
6. lick one's wounds
   to retire after a defeat or setback in order to husband one's resources
7. lick the boots of
   See boot 1

noun

1. an instance of passing the tongue over something
2. a small amount

   a lick of paint

3. Also calledsalt 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. a lick and a promise
   something hastily done, esp a hurried wash

Derived Forms

• ˈlicker, noun

Other Words From

• licker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lick¹

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lick¹

Old English liccian; related to Old High German leckon, Latin lingere, Greek leikhein

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. last licks, a final turn or opportunity:

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

2. 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.

3. lick ass, Slang: Vulgar. kiss ( def 18 ).
4. 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.

5. lick one's chops. chop ³( def 7 ).
6. lick one's wounds. wound ¹( def 6 ).
7. lick the dust. dust ( def 24 ).

Example Sentences

Researchers studying the endangered animals had reported occasionally seeing this nectar licking but had never captured it on video.

From Science Magazine

You could spend days under your headphones unraveling the dense weave of riffs, licks, rhythms and languages in this song.

From Los Angeles Times

A disproportionate number not only did not even passively resist but showed themselves eager to lick the polish off Hitler’s jackboots, if necessary.

From Salon

“So it kind of collapsed at the end, which I think actually gives it a little bit more of a cult quality,” he says, still licking his wounds but looking for the silver lining.

From Los Angeles Times

“But,” as Chase quipped in “Weekend Update,” “If you want to lick it, it’s a quarter.”

From Los Angeles Times