WordGarden.iolick
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɪk/
US
- /ˈlɪk/
Meanings
Verb
to pass the tongue over something
(informal)to defeat soundly
Noun
an act of passing the tongue over something
a short distinctive musical phrase or solo run
Beyond the definition
To lick something is to pass your tongue over its surface, like a dog cleaning up spilled ice cream or a cat grooming its fur. But this word is not only about the tongue. We also use it in a few common figurative ways. If you "lick your wounds," you are taking time to recover after a setback or defeat. If something needs a "lick of paint," it needs a quick fresh coat, not a full repair. It can also describe a quick moving shape, such as a "lick of flame" in a fireplace.
The act of licking involves using the tongue to taste, moisten, or clean a surface. It is often linked with animals, such as a puppy cleaning its bowl or a lion lapping up water, and it is also an important part of grooming. Beyond the physical action, "lick" has several figurative uses. We use it to talk about recovering after trouble: "She needed time to lick her wounds after the setback" means she needed time to recover emotionally. It can also suggest a quick or incomplete effort, often in the phrase "a lick and a promise," which describes a job done fast and without much care.
The word can also refer to a small amount or a brief touch of something, as in "a lick of frost" on the grass or "a lick of flame." In casual conversation, it can mean to defeat someone clearly: "Our team licked the competition!" In older use, it could also mean a strike or blow, such as a "lick" from a whip, but that sense is less common today. From an affectionate greeting from a puppy to a quick home touch-up, this flexible word covers physical action, recovery, small amounts, and easy victory.
Examples
- 1
Animal action
The dog licked my hand and wagged its tail.
- 2
Food preparation
She licked the spoon after mixing the cake batter.
- 3
Anticipation
He licked his lips when he saw the pizza arrive.
- 4
Flame movement
A small flame licked the edge of the paper.
- Patternflames lick + object
flames move lightly over or around it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sports defeat
The team got licked in the final.
- Usageget licked
be beaten or defeated; informal
- 6
Problem solving
The engineers finally licked the overheating problem.
- Usagelick + problem
solve it; informal
- 7
Emotional recovery
After the breakup, he stayed home for a week to lick his wounds.
- Phraselick your wounds
recover after being hurt or disappointed
- 8
Home improvement
A fresh lick of paint made the kitchen look brighter.
- Phrasea lick of paint
a thin, quick coat of paint
- 9
Music phrase
The guitarist played a blues lick between the verses.
- 10
Language knowledge
She doesn't know a lick of Spanish.
- Usagenot know a lick of + subject
know none or almost none of it; informal
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- licknounverb
Forms
- licking-ing formverbnoun
- lickedpast tenseverbnoun
- lickspluralnounverb