Lick meaning
The definition of a lick is a small amount.
An example of a lick is someone with very little common sense; a lick of common sense.
noun
Lick is defined as to lightly touch the tongue to, move the tongue across or wet with the tongue.
An example of lick is how you'd eat a soft serve ice cream in a cone.
An example of lick is using your tongue to wet the back of a stamp.
verb
An attempt; a try.
Why not give those skis a lick?
noun
Speed; pace.
Moving along at a good lick.
noun
A phrase improvised by a soloist, especially on the guitar or banjo.
noun
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To pass the tongue over.
To lick one's lips.
verb
To bring into a certain condition by passing the tongue over.
To lick one's fingers clean.
verb
To pass lightly over like a tongue.
Flames licking the logs.
verb
To move lightly and quickly, as a flame.
Waves licking about her feet.
verb
The act or an instance of licking with the tongue.
noun
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A small quantity.
noun
A phrase of jazz music, esp. an interpolated improvisation.
noun
Chance; turn.
To get one's licks in.
noun
To pass the tongue over or along.
Lick a stamp.
verb
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To lap up.
The cat licked the milk from the bowl.
verb
To lap or flicker at like a tongue.
The waves licked the sides of the boat.
verb
To pass or lap quickly and rapidly.
The flames licked at our feet.
verb
The act or process of licking.
noun
An amount obtained by licking.
A lick of ice cream.
noun
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A small quantity; a bit.
Hasn't got a lick of common sense.
noun
A deposit of exposed natural salt that is licked by passing animals.
noun
A sudden hard stroke; a blow.
noun
lick and a promise
- A superficial effort made without care or enthusiasm.
idiom
lick into shape
- To bring into satisfactory condition or appearance.
idiom
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lick (one's) chops
- To anticipate delightedly.
idiom
lick (one's) wounds
- To recuperate after a defeat.
idiom
lick (someone's) boots
- To behave in a servile or obsequious manner toward someone.
idiom
lick into shape
- To bring into proper condition by careful, persistent work.
idiom
lick one's chops
- To anticipate something eagerly.
idiom
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lick one's wounds
- To withdraw physically or emotionally after experiencing failure, humiliation, or disappointment, as to collect or console oneself.
idiom
lick up
- To consume as by licking or lapping.
idiom
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
lick and a promise
lick into shape
lick (someone's) boots
lick into shape
Origin of lick
- Middle English licken from Old English liccian leigh- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition