Lick definition
(slang) A sudden hard stroke; a blow.
noun
(informal) Speed; pace.
Moving along at a good lick.
noun
A deposit of exposed natural salt that is licked by passing animals.
noun
To beat or thrash.
verb
To defeat soundly.
Licked their rivals in lacrosse.
verb
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To deal with effectively; overcome.
Licked her weight problem.
verb
To pass or lap quickly and rapidly.
The flames licked at our feet.
verb
(slang) An attempt; a try.
Why not give those skis a lick?
noun
(music) A phrase improvised by a soloist, especially on the guitar or banjo.
noun
To pass the tongue over.
To lick one's lips.
verb
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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 whip; thrash.
verb
To overcome, vanquish, or control.
verb
A small quantity.
noun
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(slang) A phrase of jazz music, esp. an interpolated improvisation.
noun
(slang) Chance; turn.
To get one's licks in.
noun
A sharp blow.
noun
A short, rapid burst of activity, often careless, as in cleaning up, etc.
noun
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A fast pace; spurt of speed; clip.
noun
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
To pass the tongue over or along.
Lick a stamp.
verb
To lap up.
The cat licked the milk from the bowl.
verb
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To lap or flicker at like a tongue.
The waves licked the sides of the boat.
verb
The act or process of licking.
noun
An amount obtained by licking.
A lick of ice cream.
noun
A small quantity; a bit.
Hasn't got a lick of common sense.
noun
To move lightly and quickly, as a flame.
Waves licking about her feet.
verb
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The act or an instance of licking with the tongue.
noun
lick and a promise
- A superficial effort made without care or enthusiasm.
idiom
(informal) lick into shape
- To bring into satisfactory condition or appearance.
idiom
lick (one's) chops
- To anticipate delightedly.
idiom
lick (one's) wounds
- To recuperate after a defeat.
idiom
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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
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
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Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
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