tick

The word “tick” means a small blood-feeding arachnid that attaches to the skin of animals and humans. In plain terms, depending on context: the blood-sucking bug, the sound a clock makes, or a checkmark (and the act of marking one).

“Tick” is pronounced tihk (/tɪk/ in IPA).

Here is “tick” used in a sentence: “Always check for ticks after walking through long grass.”

Words with a similar meaning to “tick” include ticking.

Depending on how it is used, “tick” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “tick” comes from Old English. From Old English ticia, "parasitic insect," related to Dutch teek and German Zecke.

“Tick” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Tick” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small blood-feeding arachnid that attaches to the skin of animals and humans.

A tick and a checkmark refer to the same symbol used to show that something is correct or complete; tick is the more common term in British English, while checkmark is preferred in American English. Both describe the small mark used on lists, forms, and quizzes.

A tick as an insect is a small blood-feeding arachnid that attaches to the skin of animals and humans, unrelated in meaning to the tick that describes a short, sharp repeated sound like a clock makes. The two senses share only the spelling and pronunciation, not an origin in meaning.

As a verb, tick means either to make a rhythmic clicking sound, as a clock ticks, or to mark something with a checkmark, as in ticking a box on a form. Context usually makes clear which sense is meant.