kick
kihk
Kick (verb) means to hit or strike something with the foot. Example: “He kicked the ball straight into the top corner.”
verb
1
To hit or strike something with the foot.
"He kicked the ball straight into the top corner."
"She accidentally kicked the table leg in the dark."
"The toddler kicked off her shoes and ran across the grass."
2
To forcibly remove someone from a place, group, job, or online activity.
"He was kicked out of the meeting for arguing with the manager."
"The moderator kicked her from the chat for spamming."
"The club kicked him out after he broke the rules again."
3
To give up a habit, especially an addiction.
"He finally kicked his smoking habit after years of trying."
"It took her months to kick her late-night snacking habit."
"Many people try to kick caffeine by drinking a little less each week."
noun
1
A feeling of excitement or enjoyment gained from something.
"She gets a real kick out of roller coasters."
"The children get a kick out of splashing in puddles after rain."
"He climbed the tower just for kicks, with no other reason."
2
The force or recoil produced by a blow or a firing gun.
"The shotgun has a strong kick when fired."
"The old rifle's kick left a bruise on the beginner's shoulder."
"Hold the nail gun firmly, because the kick can throw your aim off."
How to use kick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often means to strike with the foot, but also used informally for removing someone from a group, quitting a habit, or a thrill/buzz someone gets from something.
Common mistake
"Get a kick out of" means to enjoy something, not to be physically struck by it — the two senses can trip up learners.
Common pairings
kick a ball
kick someone out
kick the habit
get a kick out of
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- kicks
- Past tense
- kicked
- Archaic forms
- kickest, kickedst, kicketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the ball straight into the top corner.
Etymology
From Middle English kiken, likely from an Old Norse word meaning "to bend backwards at the knee", describing the motion of striking out with the leg.
Related words
Rhymes for kick
See all rhymes for kick →Frequently asked questions
What does “kick” mean?
The word “kick” means to hit or strike something with the foot. In plain terms, most often means to strike with the foot, but also used informally for removing someone from a group, quitting a habit, or a thrill/buzz someone gets from something.
How do you pronounce “kick”?
“Kick” is pronounced kihk (/kɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “kick” in a sentence?
Here is “kick” used in a sentence: “He kicked the ball straight into the top corner.”
What part of speech is “kick”?
Depending on how it is used, “kick” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “kick” come from?
The word “kick” comes from Middle English. From Middle English kiken, likely from an Old Norse word meaning "to bend backwards at the knee", describing the motion of striking out with the leg.
Is “kick” a common word?
“Kick” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “kick” have?
“Kick” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to hit or strike something with the foot.
What is the difference between kick and punch?
Both are forceful blows, but a kick is delivered with the foot or leg, while a punch is delivered with the fist. Kicks generally carry more power because the leg is stronger, whereas punches are quicker and use the hand. The distinction matters especially in sports and martial arts.
What are the other meanings of kick?
Beyond striking with the foot, a gun "kicks" when it recoils, a strong drink has a "kick," to "kick a habit" is to quit it, and to "get a kick out of" something means to enjoy it. As a noun, a kick is the act of kicking or a thrill.
What is an example of kick?
You kick a ball when you strike it with your foot, as in football or rugby. A swimmer kicks their legs to move through water, a baby kicks in the womb, and a startled horse may kick out. Each drives the foot or leg forcefully against something.
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