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

Its big, comforting body, warmer temperature, slower heartbeat and, should luck favor, a few validating licks should work together to relax you.

From Ozy

The dog pen is all licks, wiggles and eye contact, Salomons says.

From Science News For Students

With the help of artificial intelligence to develop 3-D simulations of the appendages, the researchers discovered that successful licks required previously unknown corrective movements, too fast to be seen in standard video.

From Science News

“She was cute, and I could see she was nice,” Ross said, noting how much she and her 10-year-old daughter enjoy taking the dog on walks and getting licks.

From Washington Post

Since these “greeting licks” are often accompanied by wagging tails, mouths playfully open, and general excitement, it is not a stretch to say that the licks are a way to express happiness that you have returned.

From Freakonomics

Grizzlies lick them up by the thousands, and the media has made a big deal out of Yellowstone bears eating these bugs.

From The Daily Beast

I remember practicing that lick [from the solo “Round Midnight” recording] years ago, learning how to do that cascade effect.

From The Daily Beast

Another intriguing fact about the original is that Sam Levene, who played Nathan, couldn't sing a lick and said so.

From The Daily Beast

Elsewhere in the song, Kelly compares himself to the cookie monster and cleverly sings “I love to lick the middle like an Oreo.”

From The Daily Beast

“I can still see the lick Marshall put on Ferguson,” said Ditka.

From The Daily Beast

Well, thinks I, this is no joke sure, at this lick I'll have family enuff to do me in a few years.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, Dan Daly and half a dozen of our fellows would lick the whole crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they came back to where their friend lay on the ground, and began to talk with him and lick his face.

From Project Gutenberg

He stooped and stroked the little animal, who stood on ridiculous hind-legs, straining to lick his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

He wudden't know whether I swept or dusted rightly, or whether I gave the place a lick and a promise.

From Project Gutenberg