noun
Uncommon
licking
LIH-kihng
Licking (noun) means the act of passing the tongue over something. Example: “A quick licking of the spoon and the batter was gone.”
noun
1
The act of passing the tongue over something.
"A quick licking of the spoon and the batter was gone."
2
A severe beating or defeat.
"The champions took a licking in the final match."
How to use licking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of licking, or informally, a heavy defeat.
Common pairings
take a licking
give someone a licking
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Word forms
- Plural
- lickings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A quick _____ of the spoon and the batter was gone.
Related words
Rhymes for licking
picking
kicking
dicking
ticking
nicking
fricking
sticking
pricking
clicking
tricking
flicking
panicking
See all rhymes for licking →
Frequently asked questions
What does “licking” mean?
The word “licking” means the act of passing the tongue over something. In plain terms, the act of licking, or informally, a heavy defeat.
How do you pronounce “licking”?
“Licking” is pronounced LIH-kihng (/ˈlɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “licking” in a sentence?
Here is “licking” used in a sentence: “A quick licking of the spoon and the batter was gone.”
What part of speech is “licking”?
“Licking” is a noun.
Is “licking” a common word?
“Licking” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “licking” have?
“Licking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of passing the tongue over something.
