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 of tic

• trick
• trait
• characteristic
• mannerism
• quirk
• idiosyncrasy
• eccentricity
• habit
• peculiarity
• singularity

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

The Trumpian superlative tic took his boasts well beyond the general. —Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Firstman’s debut directorial effort, Club Kid, shrewdly acknowledges those garish personality tics, which have both endeared and repulsed audiences. —Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026

Eilish shares reaction to her tics Eilish was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at age 11. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Y’know, that certain vocal style or guitar tone or even decade-specific production tic that transports us like the meal at the end of Ratatouille to joyous remembrances of times past. —Brendan Hay, SPIN, 1 May 2026

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