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

• crotchet
• curiosity
• eccentricity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• individualism
• kink
• mannerism
• oddity
• peculiarity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• trick
• twist

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

But often the metaphors seem something of a tic, and a tiresome one. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Additionally, his son, then 5, exhibited motor and verbal tics, and was diagnosed with asthma, after living in the apartment. —Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025

For leaders aiming to inspire trust and clarity, neuroscience offers practical insights into why these verbal tics matter and how to reduce them. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Older internet vernacular involved quoting memes or making references to nerd culture, but brain rot offers strange sentence constructions and rhetorical tics with a broad range of possible applications. —Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 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

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