kicking
11 synonyms for kicking, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Still lively, active, or in good working order — often in the phrase "alive and kicking."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
peng
top-notch
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Still lively, active, or in good working order — often in the phrase "alive and kicking."
“My grandfather is ninety and still alive and kicking.”
How to use kicking
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
alive and kicking
kicking and screaming
Etymology
The present-participle form of "kick," used as both a verb form and an adjective for ongoing energy or vitality.
Full origin of kicking →Frequently asked questions
What does “kicking” mean?
The word “kicking” means still lively, active, or in good working order — often in the phrase "alive and kicking.". In plain terms, describes something still going strong, or refers to the action of striking out with the feet.
How do you pronounce “kicking”?
“Kicking” is pronounced KIH-kihng (/ˈkɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “kicking” in a sentence?
Here is “kicking” used in a sentence: “Despite the rumors, the old business is still alive and kicking.”
What is another word for “kicking”?
Words with a similar meaning to “kicking” include peng, top-notch, living and vital.
What part of speech is “kicking”?
Depending on how it is used, “kicking” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “kicking” a common word?
“Kicking” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kicking” have?
“Kicking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: still lively, active, or in good working order — often in the phrase "alive and kicking.".
What is the difference between "kicking" as an adjective and as a noun?
As an adjective, "kicking" means lively or in good working order, as in "alive and kicking." As a noun, it means the act of striking with the foot, or repeated blows delivered with the feet, as in "the door needed a good kicking."
Is "kicking" formal or informal English?
In the sense of lively or excellent, "kicking" is informal and conversational, often heard in slang like "the party was kicking." The literal noun meaning, striking with the foot, is neutral and works in any register.
