Lick

/lɪk/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A quick or light contact with something, especially with the tongue.

He gave the ice cream a quick lick.

A stroke or instance of licking.

She took a lick of the spoon to taste the batter.

verb

To pass the tongue over (an object or surface) in order to taste, moisten, or clean it.

The cat licked its paws after eating.

To defeat or surpass someone or something, especially in a competition.

Team A licked Team B in the finals last night.

To touch lightly or brush against something.

The flames licked at the edges of the paper.

Middle English 'likken', from Old English 'liccian'.

lick one's wounds

To recover from a setback or defeat.

lick into shape

To improve or refine something.

give a lick

To apply a small amount of something (as in paint) in a quick motion.

licking

The act of passing the tongue over something.

lickable

Capable of being licked or appealing to be licked.

To defeat someone decisively.

We really licked them in the tournament.

An instance of drug use.

He's been on a lick since last weekend.