lick
lihk
Lick (verb) means to pass the tongue over something. Example: “The dog licked her hand affectionately.”
verb
1
To pass the tongue over something.
"The dog licked her hand affectionately."
"He licked the envelope before sealing it."
"The cat licked the cream off its paws and purred."
2
To defeat decisively, especially in a fight or contest.
"Our team licked the rivals 5-0 last night."
"Don't worry, we can lick them in the next round if we train hard."
"The champion licked every opponent he faced that season."
noun
1
A single stroke of the tongue.
"She gave the ice cream one quick lick before it melted."
"The puppy gave my cheek a big lick and wagged its tail."
"One lick of the lolly was enough to leave his tongue bright blue."
2
A short musical phrase or riff, especially in guitar playing.
"The guitarist repeated the same bluesy lick throughout the solo."
"He practised a fast country lick until his fingers ached."
"That rock lick at the start of the song is easy to recognise."
How to use lick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo touch with the tongue — or, informally, to beat someone soundly, or (in music) a short catchy riff.
Common pairings
lick your lips
lick someone in a fight
a guitar lick
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Word forms
- Plural
- licks
- Third person singular
- licks
- Past tense
- licked
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The dog _____ her hand affectionately.
Etymology
From Old English liccian, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to lick," related to Latin lingo and Greek leíkhō. The violent sense ("to beat, defeat") is unique to English and its exact origin is unclear.
Related words
Rhymes for lick
See all rhymes for lick →Frequently asked questions
What does “lick” mean?
The word “lick” means to pass the tongue over something. In plain terms, to touch with the tongue — or, informally, to beat someone soundly, or (in music) a short catchy riff.
How do you pronounce “lick”?
“Lick” is pronounced lihk (/lɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “lick” in a sentence?
Here is “lick” used in a sentence: “The dog licked her hand affectionately.”
What part of speech is “lick”?
Depending on how it is used, “lick” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “lick” come from?
The word “lick” comes from Latin. From Old English liccian, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to lick," related to Latin lingo and Greek leíkhō. The violent sense ("to beat, defeat") is unique to English and its exact origin is unclear.
Is “lick” a common word?
“Lick” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “lick” have?
“Lick” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pass the tongue over something.
What is the difference between "lick" and "taste"?
"Lick" describes the physical act of passing the tongue over something, while "taste" refers to perceiving flavor, which can happen with or without licking. You can taste food without licking it (by chewing or sipping), but licking is a specific tongue motion.
What does "lick" mean in a fight or contest?
Used informally, "lick" can mean to defeat someone decisively, as in "our team licked them." This sense has nothing to do with tongues and is common in casual, competitive contexts.
What does "lick" mean in music?
In music, especially guitar playing, a "lick" is a short, often repeated musical phrase or riff. Musicians build solos out of familiar licks.
When is "lick" used as a noun versus a verb?
As a verb, "lick" describes the action of running the tongue over something or, informally, defeating someone. As a noun, it can mean a single stroke of the tongue or a short musical riff, so the correct sense depends on context.
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