noun

tick

tihk

noun

A small blood-feeding arachnid that attaches to the skin of animals and humans.

"Always check for ticks after walking through long grass."

A short, sharp repeated sound, like that made by a clock.

"The only sound in the room was the tick of the clock."

A checkmark used to show something is correct or complete.

"Put a tick next to each item you've finished."

verb

To make a rhythmic clicking sound, or to mark something with a checkmark.

"The clock ticked steadily on the mantelpiece."

"She ticked each name off the guest list."

How to Use Tick

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDepending on context: the blood-sucking bug, the sound a clock makes, or a checkmark (and the act of marking one).

UK vs US

In British English, "tick" is the standard word for a checkmark (✓); American English usually says "check" or "check mark" instead.

Common pairings

tick a box tick off a list a tick bite

ticked past tense, ticked past tense, ticks plural, ticks plural, ticks plural, ticks plural, ticks singular, ticks singular

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Always check for _____ after walking through long grass.

From Old English ticia, "parasitic insect," related to Dutch teek and German Zecke.

ticking

ticking

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ticking