lick

1 of 2

verb

ˈlik 

licked; licking; licks

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

see also lick into shape, lick one's chops, lick one's wounds

lick

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act or instance of licking

b

: a small amount : bit

couldn't swim a lick

c

: a hasty careless effort

2

a

: a sharp hit : blow

b

: a directed effort : crack

—usually used in plural

—usually used in the phrase get in one's licks

3

a

: a natural salt deposit (such as a salt spring) that animals lick

b

: a block of often medicated saline preparation given to livestock to lick

4

: a musical figure

specifically : an interpolated and usually improvised figure or flourish

5

: a critical thrust : dig, barb

see also lick and a promise

Synonyms of lick

Verb

• hide
• pound
• whip
• lash
• slap
• beat
• do
• knock
• spank
• hit
• thump
• batter
• pelt
• punch
• smash
• attack
• bat
• slam
• assault
• maul
• chop
• pummel

Noun

• blow
• slap
• swipe
• thump
• hit
• pound
• knock
• punch
• stroke
• thud
• whack
• poke
• spank
• smack
• bang
• beat
• slam

Examples of lick in a Sentence

Verb

He licked the stamp before putting it on the envelope.

The dog licked at the plate.

She licked the sauce off her finger.

The cat licked the milk off her paws.

Flames were already licking the ceiling.

Flames were already licking at the ceiling.

Noun

Could I have a lick of your ice cream?

It just needs a lick of paint.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Smyth made it, though, and the Panthers were left with a flight back from New Orleans to lick their wounds. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025

Pick and mix, play around, lick your fingers, kiss your dining partner, find a combo of flavors and textures and spice that works for you, then flip the fish over and start it all over again on the other side. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

Noun

The guitarist, songwriter and record producer was not known for flashy playing, but his spare, catchy licks and solid rhythm chops helped define Memphis soul music. —Christian Orozco, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025

Sean Kaufman and Christopher Briney locked licks on the Jumbotron. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lick

• a lick and a promise
• lick and a promise
• lick into shape
• lick one's chops
• lick one's lips
• lick one's wounds
• lick someone's boots
• salt lick

Rhymes for lick

• bick
• brick
• chick
• click
• fick
• flick
• hick
• kick
• knick
• mic
• nick
• pic

Kids Definition

lick

1 of 2 verb

ˈlik 

1

a

: to pass the tongue over

licked the bowl

b

: to touch or pass over like a tongue

flames were already licking the ceiling

2

: to take up with the tongue

kittens licking milk

3

a

: to hit again and again : beat

b

: to get the better of

licking noun

lick

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act or instance of licking

b

: a small amount : bit

hasn't done a lick of work

c

: a hasty careless effort

2

: a sharp hit : blow

got in a few licks of my own

3

: a place (as a spring) having a deposit of salt that animals regularly lick

called also salt lick