tic

noun

ˈtik 

1

: local and habitual spasmodic motion of particular muscles especially of the face : twitching

2

: a frequent usually unconscious quirk of behavior or speech

"you know" is a verbal tic

Synonyms

• crotchet
• curiosity
• eccentricity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• individualism
• kink
• mannerism
• oddity
• peculiarity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• trick
• twist

Examples of tic in a Sentence

The verbal tic “you know” often occurs in her speech.

constantly playing with her hair is one of her more annoying tics

Recent Examples on the Web

Chris used to have a grim, distinctive tic of executing his enemies in the head; now, the climactic battle is just a spray of bullets. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Her specific tics are not a universal symptom of the disorder. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Her role doesn’t ask for attention-getting tics, so O’Boyle centers the action by conveying practical reason in a no-nonsense, yet appealing manner. —Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2025

But none of us are going to notice because the hour spent on his speculative, facial tics. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

circa 1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tic

• tic douloureux
• tic-tac-toe

Rhymes for tic

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

Kids Definition

tic

noun

ˈtik 

1

: a regularly repeated twitching movement of a particular muscle and especially one of the face

2

: a particular form of behavior or speech that is often repeated

"you know" is a verbal tic

Medical Definition

tic

noun

ˈtik 

1

: local and habitual spasmodic motion of particular muscles especially of the face : twitching

2

: a habitual usually unconscious quirk of behavior or speech