kick

1 of 2

verb

ˈkik 

kicked; kicking; kicks

intransitive verb

1

a

: to strike out with the foot or feet

b

: to make a kick in football

2

a

: to show opposition : resist, rebel

b

: to protest strenuously or urgently : express grave discontent

broadly : complain

3

: to function with vitality and energy

alive and kicking

4

of a firearm : to recoil when fired

5

: to go from one place to another as circumstance or whim dictates

6

: to run at a faster speed during the last part of a race

transitive verb

1

a

: to strike, thrust, or hit with the foot

b

: to strike suddenly and forcefully as if with the foot

c

: to remove by a kicking motion

kicked off her shoes

d

: to remove from a position or status

kicked him off the team

see also kick to the curb

2

: to score by kicking a ball

3

: to heap reproaches upon (oneself)

kicked themselves for not going

4

: to free oneself of (something, such as a drug habit)

kickable

ˈki-kə-bəl 

adjective

kick

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a blow or sudden forceful thrust with the foot

specifically : a sudden propelling of a ball with the foot

b

: the power to kick

c

: a rhythmic motion of the legs used in swimming

d

: a burst of speed in racing

2

: a sudden forceful jolt or thrust suggesting a kick

especially : the recoil of a gun

3

: pocket, wallet

4

a

: a feeling or expression of opposition or objection

a kick against the administration

b

: the grounds for objection

5

a

: a powerful or forceful effect

chili with a kick

b

: a stimulating or pleasurable effect or experience

—often used in the phrases get a kick out of and (just) for kicks

… we just got a big kick out of seeing our names in the paper

—Joel Stein

She plays golf just for kicks [=for fun].

c

: pursuit of an absorbing or obsessive new interest

—usually used with on

"… I'll get on a kick though where I can't get enough of something, and it'll show up in everything. … "

—Danny Markowicz

If you're on a post-Christmas health kick, there are plenty of seasonal vegetables to keep you going …

—Caroline Lindsay

6

: kicker sense 2

7

kicks plural, US slang : shoes or sneakers

… nothing draws more attention to a rare pair of kicks than the cuffed hem of slim sweats.

—Steve Dool

Phrases

kick ass

often vulgar : to kick butt

kick butt

: to use forceful or coercive measures in order to achieve a purpose

also : to succeed or win overwhelmingly

kick over the traces

: to cast off restraint, authority, or control

kick the bucket

: die

kick up one's heels

1

: to show sudden delight

2

: to have a lively time

kick upstairs

: to promote to a higher but less desirable position

Synonyms

Verb

• beef
• bellyache
• bitch
• bleat
• carp
• caterwaul
• complain
• crab
• croak
• fuss
• gripe
• grizzle
• grouch
• grouse
• growl
• grumble
• grump
• holler
• inveigh
• keen
• kvetch
• maunder [chiefly British]
• moan
• murmur
• mutter
• nag
• repine
• scream
• squawk
• squeal
• wail
• whimper
• whine
• whinge [British]
• yammer
• yawp
• yaup
• yowl

Noun

• bang
• boot
• charge
• exhilaration
• frisson
• jollies
• rush
• thrill
• titillation
• wallop

Examples of kick in a Sentence

Verb

The attacker kicked him in the stomach.

She lost her temper and kicked over the box.

He kicked the ball into the goal.

She kicked the ball to me.

The policeman kicked the door open.

The baby kicked his legs in the air.

The swimming instructor reminded the children to kick their legs as they swam.

The baby kicked with pleasure.

He kicked the winning field goal.

When he was 25, he kicked his cocaine habit and went back to school.

Noun

He gave me a kick in the leg.

If you give the machine a little kick, it should start working again.

a long kick in football

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The annual SharonFest, kicking off July 28, is a party with a purpose. —Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 20 July 2017

Indianapolis kicks off its four-game preseason schedule on Aug. 13 against the Detroit Lions. —Mark Inabinett, AL.com, 18 July 2017

Noun

Old Bay seasoning: This savory spice blend streamlines seasoning the shrimp and adds a tangy kick to contrast the rich cream cheese mixture. —Giovanna Vazquez, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024

These giftable kicks are playful, affordable and will look great under your tree this year. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English kiken

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing kick

• a kick in the teeth
• beat/kick the (living) shit
• corner kick
• drop-kick
• flutter kick
• free kick
• frog kick
• get a kick out of
• goal kick
• kick around
• kick back
• kick drum
• kick in
• kick off
• kick off one's shoes
• kick oneself
• kick one's shoes off
• kick out
• kick over
• kick pleat
• kick someone's butt
• kick-start
• kick-starter
• kick to the curb
• kick turn
• kick up
• kick up a fuss/stink
• kick up dust
• kick/whip/stir up a storm
• onside kick
• penalty kick
• quick kick
• scissors kick
• squib kick

Kids Definition

kick

1 of 2 verb

ˈkik 

1

: to strike out or hit with the foot

2

: to object strongly : protest

kicked about their low grades

3

: to spring back

a shotgun kicks when fired

4

: to be full of pep and energy

still alive and kicking

5

: to score by kicking a ball

kick a field goal

6

slang : to free oneself of

kick the habit

kicker noun

kick

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a blow with the foot

b

: the movement of the legs in swimming

2

a

: a sudden moving (as of a ball) with the foot

b

: the sudden move backward of a gun when fired

3

: a feeling of or cause for objection

4

: a feeling or source of pleasure