Lick - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT lick /lɪk/ /lɪk/ IPA guide

Other forms: licked; licking; licks

To lick is to taste or touch with the tongue. When your dog licks you, he's saying hello. Humans should opt for waving hello over licking.

Animal mothers lick their babies to clean them, and adult cats also groom themselves this way. People generally lick things to taste them: you might lick an ice cream cone or a lollipop, or lick salt off your arm after a day at the beach. Colloquially, to lick an opponent is to beat them at a game or fight. In jazz music, a lick is a short burst of music, or a solo.

Definitions of lick

verb pass the tongue over “the dog licked her hand” synonyms: lap see moresee less types: tongue lick or explore with the tongue type of: stroke touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
verb take up with the tongue synonyms: lap, lap up see moresee less type of: drink, imbibe take in liquids
noun touching with the tongue synonyms: lap see moresee less type of: touch, touching the act of putting two things together with no space between them
noun a salt deposit that animals regularly lick synonyms: salt lick see moresee less type of: deposit, sediment matter that has been deposited by some natural process
verb beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight “We licked the other team on Sunday!” synonyms: annihilate, bat, clobber, cream, drub, thrash flail, lam, thrash, thresh give a thrashing to; beat hard see moresee less type of: beat, beat out, crush, shell, trounce, vanquish come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
noun (boxing) a blow with the fist synonyms: biff, clout, poke, punch, slug see moresee less types: show 7 types... hide 7 types... counter, counterpunch, parry a return punch (especially by a boxer) KO punch, Sunday punch, haymaker, knockout punch a hard punch that renders the opponent unable to continue boxing hook a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent jab a quick short straight punch rabbit punch a short chopping blow to the back of the neck sucker punch an unexpected punch roundhouse a hook delivered with an exaggerated swing type of: blow, buffet a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
verb find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of synonyms: figure out, puzzle out, solve, work, work out see moresee less types: show 7 types... hide 7 types... answer, resolve understand the meaning of riddle explain a riddle strike arrive at after reckoning, deliberating, and weighing guess, infer guess correctly; solve by guessing answer give the correct answer or solution to break find the solution or key to tell discern or comprehend type of: understand know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

Pronunciation US /lɪk/ UK /lɪk/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘lick'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing lick

Novel Study: Fences, Introduction and Act 1 MORE VOCABULARY LISTS 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account