lick

1 of 2

verb

ˈlik 

licked; licking; licks

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to draw the tongue over

(2)

: to flicker over like a tongue

b

: to take into the mouth with the tongue : lap

2

a

: to strike repeatedly : thrash

b

: to get the better of : overcome, defeat

intransitive verb

1

: to lap with or as if with the tongue

2

: to dart like a tongue

lick

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act or instance of licking

b

: a small amount : bit

couldn't swim a lick

c

: a hasty careless effort

2

a

: a sharp hit : blow

b

: a directed effort : crack

—usually used in plural

—usually used in the phrase get in one's licks

3

a

: a natural salt deposit (such as a salt spring) that animals lick

b

: a block of often medicated saline preparation given to livestock to lick

4

: a musical figure

specifically : an interpolated and usually improvised figure or flourish

5

: a critical thrust : dig, barb

Phrases

lick into shape

: to put into proper form or condition

lick one's chops

: to feel or show eager anticipation

lick one's wounds

: to recover from defeat or disappointment

lick and a promise

: a perfunctory performance of a task

Synonyms

Verb

• hide
• pound
• whip
• lash
• slap
• beat
• do
• knock
• spank
• hit
• batter
• thump
• pelt
• punch
• smash
• attack
• bat
• slam
• assault
• maul
• chop

Noun

• blow
• slap
• swipe
• thump
• hit
• knock
• stroke
• punch
• thud
• pound
• spank
• whack
• smack
• poke
• bang
• slam
• beat

Examples of lick in a Sentence

Verb

He licked the stamp before putting it on the envelope.

The dog licked at the plate.

She licked the sauce off her finger.

The cat licked the milk off her paws.

Flames were already licking the ceiling.

Flames were already licking at the ceiling.

Noun

Could I have a lick of your ice cream?

It just needs a lick of paint.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Common symptoms include excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, and digestive issues. —Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025

The pair is seen crawling through a wildflower field, dancing, and jumping, but also hollering at each other, brandishing knives, and at some point, Lawrence licks a window with zeal. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025

Noun

TikTok @evelynmmartin The dog jumps onto the grassy area, shakes his head with his whole body moving in excitement, and jumps up to greet Martin, showering her with licks and nuzzles before spinning excitedly in a circle. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

The roads became thick with mud, the numbers in his Company were diminishing, and on a night in June the Company advanced to dig a further trench, only to retreat again immediately having not made a lick of progress—but not without suffering the fatality of his friend, Thomas. —Alice Vernon september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English liccian; akin to Old High German leckōn to lick, Latin lingere, Greek leichein

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lick

• a lick and a promise
• lick and a promise
• lick one's lips
• lick someone's boots
• salt lick

Rhymes for lick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• flick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• mic
• nick
• pic

Kids Definition

lick

1 of 2 verb

ˈlik 

1

a

: to pass the tongue over

licked the bowl

b

: to touch or pass over like a tongue

flames were already licking the ceiling

2

: to take up with the tongue

kittens licking milk

3

a

: to hit again and again : beat

b

: to get the better of

licking noun

lick

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act or instance of licking

b

: a small amount : bit

hasn't done a lick of work

c

: a hasty careless effort

2

: a sharp hit : blow

got in a few licks of my own

3

: a place (as a spring) having a deposit of salt that animals regularly lick

called also salt lick