lick

¹lick

verb \ˈlik\

Definition of LICK

transitive verb

1

a (1) : to draw the tongue over (2) : to flicker over like a tongue b : to take into the mouth with the tongue : lap

2

a : to strike repeatedly : thrash b : to get the better of : overcome, defeat

intransitive verb

1

: to lap with or as if with the tongue

2

: to dart like a tongue

— lick into shape

: to put into proper form or condition

— lick one's chops

: to feel or show eager anticipation

— lick one's wounds

: to recover from defeat or disappointment

Examples of LICK

1. He licked the stamp before putting it on the envelope.
2. The dog licked at the plate.
3. She licked the sauce off her finger.
4. The cat licked the milk off her paws.
5. Flames were already licking the ceiling.
6. Flames were already licking at the ceiling.

Origin of LICK

Middle English, from Old English liccian; akin to Old High German leckōn to lick, Latin lingere, Greek leichein

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to LICK

Synonyms: bash, baste, bat, batter, belabor, belt, birch, bludgeon, buffet, bung up, club, curry, do, drub, fib [British], flog, hammer, hide, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lash, lather, beat, maul, mess (up), paddle, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, punch out, rough (up), slate, slog, switch, tan, thrash, thresh, thump, tromp, wallop, whale, whip, whop (or whap), whup, work over

Antonyms: lose (to)

Related Words: assail, assault, attack, beset, box, bust, chop, clobber, clout, crack, cudgel, cuff, descend (on or upon), hit, jump (on), knock, lam, lay on, paste, pounce (on or upon), punch, raid, rush, slam, slap, smack, smash, sock, spank, storm, swat, swipe, thwack, whack, wham, whomp; blackjack, cane, cowhide, flagellate, fustigate, horsewhip, leather, pistol-whip, rawhide, scourge, strap; gore, lacerate, wound; maim, mangle, mutilate

Near Antonyms: fall, give up, go down, go under; collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, wash out

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with LICK

brick, chick, click, crick, creek, Dick, flick, Frick, hick, kick, KWIC, mick, nick, pic, pick, prick, quick, rick, Schick, shtick, sic, sick, slick, snick, stick, thick, tic, tick, trick, wick