adj
Common
kicking
KIH-kihng
Kicking (adj) means Still lively, active, or in good working order — often in the phrase "alive and kicking.". Example: “My grandfather is ninety and still alive and kicking.”
adj
1
Still lively, active, or in good working order — often in the phrase "alive and kicking."
"My grandfather is ninety and still alive and kicking."
"The village hall is old, but the choir is alive and kicking."
"Despite the rumors, the old business is still alive and kicking."
"still kicking at 89 years old"
noun
1
The act of striking with the foot, or repeated blows delivered with the feet.
"The goalkeeper practised his kicking every afternoon until the ball flew far."
"The boy's kicking at the door woke the whole house."
"The horse's kicking damaged the stable door."
How to use kicking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something still going strong, or refers to the action of striking out with the feet.
Common pairings
alive and kicking
kicking and screaming
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Word forms
- Plural
- kickings
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My grandfather is ninety and still alive and _____.
Etymology
The present-participle form of "kick," used as both a verb form and an adjective for ongoing energy or vitality.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for kicking
licking
picking
dicking
ticking
nicking
fricking
sticking
pricking
clicking
tricking
flicking
panicking
See all rhymes for 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.
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