Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [lik]
- /lɪk/
- /lɪk/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [lik]
- /lɪk/
Definitions of lick word
- verb with object lick to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat (often followed by up, off, from, etc.): to lick a postage stamp; to lick an ice-cream cone. 1
- verb with object lick to make, or cause to become, by stroking with the tongue: to lick a spoon clean. 1
- verb with object lick (of waves, flames, etc.) to pass or play lightly over: The flame licked the dry timber. 1
- verb with object lick Informal. to hit or beat, especially as a punishment; thrash; whip. to overcome or defeat, as in a fight, game, or contest. to outdo or surpass. 1
- verb without object lick to move quickly or lightly. 1
- noun lick a stroke of the tongue over something. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of lick
First appearance:
before 1000 One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1000; Middle English; Old English liccian, cognate with Old Saxon liccōn, Old High German leckōn; akin to Go bilaigon, Latin lingere, Greek leíchein to lick (up)
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Lick
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
lick popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
lick usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for lick
noun lick
- dash — If you dash somewhere, you run or go there quickly and suddenly.
- dab — DAB is the transmission of digital stereo over conventional radio channels. DAB is an abbreviation for 'digital audio broadcasting'.
- trace — either of the two straps, ropes, or chains by which a carriage, wagon, or the like is drawn by a harnessed horse or other draft animal.
- whiff — any of several flatfishes having both eyes on the left side of the head, of the genus Citharichthys, as C. cornutus (horned whiff) inhabiting Atlantic waters from New England to Brazil.
- taste — to try or test the flavor or quality of (something) by taking some into the mouth: to taste food.
verb lick
- fondle — to handle or touch lovingly, affectionately, or tenderly; caress: to fondle a precious object; to fondle a child.
- rub — to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing: to rub a table top with wax polish; to rub the entire back area.
- soothe — to tranquilize or calm, as a person or the feelings; relieve, comfort, or refresh: soothing someone's anger; to soothe someone with a hot drink.
- wash — to apply water or some other liquid to (something or someone) for the purpose of cleansing; cleanse by dipping, rubbing, or scrubbing in water or some other liquid.
- graze — to touch or rub something lightly, or so as to produce slight abrasion, in passing: to graze against a rough wall.
Antonyms for lick
verb lick
- lose — to come to be without (something in one's possession or care), through accident, theft, etc., so that there is little or no prospect of recovery: I'm sure I've merely misplaced my hat, not lost it.
- remain — to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified: to remain at peace.
- put out — a throw or cast, especially one made with a forward motion of the hand when raised close to the shoulder.
- stay — (of a ship) to change to the other tack.
- give in — to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow: to give a birthday present to someone.
Top questions with lick
- why does dogs lick?
- why do dogs lick?
- why do dog lick?
- why does my cat lick me?
- how to lick pussy?
- why do dogs lick people?
- why do dogs lick you?
- why do dogs lick your face?
- why does my dog lick me?
- why do cats lick you?
- why do dogs lick their paws?
- how to lick a pussy?
- why does my dog lick me so much?
- why do dogs lick feet?
- why does my dog lick so much?