tic

noun

ˈtik 

1

: local and habitual spasmodic motion of particular muscles especially of the face : twitching

2

: a frequent usually unconscious quirk of behavior or speech

"you know" is a verbal tic

Synonyms

• trick
• trait
• characteristic
• mannerism
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• eccentricity
• habit
• peculiarity
• singularity

Examples of tic in a Sentence

The verbal tic “you know” often occurs in her speech.

constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics

Recent Examples on the Web

The major difference is that tics are uncontrollable, while stimming is a self-soothing behavior that people often have more control over.3 What Causes Tics? —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 26 June 2025

This writing tic has traditionally been associated with bad high-school level essays. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Odder still, Ahn has a too-clever tic of cutting away from big confrontations. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025

At the end of her sparring match with Grey, Elsbeth clumsily using her flimsy weapon as a cane is a hilarious example of one of those tics. —Alamin Yohannes, EW.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

circa 1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tic

• tic douloureux
• tic-tac-toe

Rhymes for tic

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

Kids Definition

tic

noun

ˈtik 

1

: a regularly repeated twitching movement of a particular muscle and especially one of the face

2

: a particular form of behavior or speech that is often repeated

"you know" is a verbal tic

Medical Definition

tic

noun

ˈtik 

1

: local and habitual spasmodic motion of particular muscles especially of the face : twitching

2

: a habitual usually unconscious quirk of behavior or speech