WordGarden.iotick
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɪk/
US
- /ˈtɪk/
Meanings
Noun
a small bloodsucking arachnid that attaches to animals or people
the small regular click or beat of a clock or watch
a very short moment
More meaningsFewer meanings
a small mark showing a choice, correct answer, or completed item
Verb
to make the regular clicking sound of a clock or watch
to mark something with a tick or check mark
Beyond the definition
A clock ticks, marking time with a small, regular click. That is one common use of the word. It can also mean to mark a box on a form with a checkmark. If you tick all the boxes, you have met all the needed points.
The word also appears in tick someone off, which means to annoy someone. And it is the name of the small creature that bites animals and people and feeds on blood. So this one word may bring to mind a sound, a mark on paper, an angry feeling, or a tiny pest.
"Tick" is a versatile English word with several common meanings. One of the clearest is the small, regular sound made by a clock or watch. When a clock ticks, it makes that steady click that marks the passing of time. From there, the word also appears in the idiom what makes someone tick, which means what drives a person, interests them, or explains how they behave.
Another common meaning is a mark on paper. In British English especially, a tick is a checkmark (✓). To tick a box means to mark it, and to tick all the boxes means to meet all the expected conditions or requirements. This use is very common in forms, lists, and everyday conversation about choices or qualifications.
The word also appears in informal speech about annoyance. If something ticks you off, it makes you angry or irritated. In some contexts, especially in British English, tick off can also mean to scold someone. Finally, a tick is also a small blood-sucking arachnid that attaches itself to animals or people. In short, the word may refer to a clock sound, a checkmark, a feeling of annoyance, an idiom about motivation, or a tiny biting creature.
Examples
- 1
Answer marking
Put a tick next to the correct answer.
- 2
Clock sound
The old clock ticks so loudly that I can hear it from the kitchen.
- 3
Time passing
We sat there in silence, watching the last few minutes tick by.
- Phrasetick by
pass slowly
- 4
Outdoor safety
After the hike, she checked her legs for ticks.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Job benefits
The job is close to home, pays well, and has flexible hours, so it ticks all the boxes.
- Phrasetick all the boxes
have everything someone wants
- 6
Personality
I've never really understood what makes him tick.
- Phrasewhat makes someone tick
what kind of person they are and why they behave that way
- 7
Business survival
The company is still ticking over, but sales are much lower than last year.
- Phrasetick over
continue at a low or steady level
- 8
Annoyance
His rude little joke really ticked me off.
- Phrasetick someone off
annoy someone
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- ticknounverb
Forms
- ticking-ing formverbnoun
- tickspluralnounverb
- tickedpast tenseverbnoun