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

These tics often come and go, change over time and may occur along with attention problems, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. — Michael Okun, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026

Somehow, Stan does, inhabiting the physicality and voice completely, turning up the volume on the Trumpian tics as the character ages. — Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

People experiencing psychosis, dissociation, tics, and other problems after meditating were asking for help. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Cage plays Roy, a gifted con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder whose tics, phobias and elaborate rituals have turned his immaculate home into a fortress against the world. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 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