Lick: meaning, definitions and examples

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lick

[lɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

action

To pass the tongue over something in order to taste, moisten, or clean it.

Synonyms

lap, lick up, taste.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lick	Used when a person or animal runs their tongue over something lightly. The cat likes to lick its fur She gave her ice cream a big lick
taste	Used when someone tries a small amount of food or drink to experience its flavor. Would you like to taste this new dish? She tasted the soup to see if it needed more salt
lap	Often used when an animal drinks a liquid by using its tongue repeatedly. The dog will lap up the water quickly A kitten will lap milk from a bowl
lick up	Implies thorough licking, often used for liquids or small particles, sometimes has a negative connotation. The puppy licked up the spilt milk from the floor He had to lick up every drop of the medicine

Examples of usage

The dog licked the ice cream cone before giving it back to its owner.
She licked the envelope before sealing it.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

A small amount of a substance, especially a drink.

Synonyms

sip, swig, taste.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lick	Used when referring to touching something lightly with the tongue. She gave the ice cream a quick lick. The cat licked its paw.
sip	Refers to drinking in small amounts, often in a careful or slow manner. He took a small sip of his tea. She sipped her coffee while reading the book.
swig	Implies drinking in large gulps, often in a casual or informal manner. He took a swig of water after his workout. She swigged from the bottle, not bothering with a glass.
taste	Refers to trying food or drink to check its flavor. She tasted the soup to see if it needed more salt. He tasted the wine before serving it to his guests.

Examples of usage

Just a lick of whiskey to warm me up.
She took a lick of the ice cream before handing it to her friend.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'lick' comes from the Old English 'liccian', which meant to touch with the tongue.
It has been used in the English language for centuries and can be traced back as far as the 10th century.

Pop Culture

The 2000 song 'Lick It Up' by Kiss became a classic anthem about enjoyment and living in the moment.
In animation, cartoon characters often lick things to express curiosity or desire, enhancing their comedic effect.

Science

Licking is a common behavior among many animals for tasting food or determining texture and temperature.
In humans, the sense of taste is partly enhanced by saliva, which is mixed when something is licked.

Psychology

The act of licking can be associated with comfort and soothing in both humans and pets, often used in stress relief.
Studies show that people can be drawn to items that have been licked or tasted, associating them with the experience of enjoyment.

Literature

Licking has been used in poetry to evoke sensory experiences, often relating to love and desire.
Famous literary works sometimes use licking as a motif to symbolize indulgence or forbidden pleasures.

Translations

Translations of the word "lick" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lamber

🇮🇳 चाटना (chaatna)

🇩🇪 lecken

🇮🇩 menjilat

🇺🇦 лизати

🇵🇱 lizać

🇯🇵 舐める (nameru)

🇫🇷 lécher

🇪🇸 lamer

🇹🇷 yalamak

🇰🇷 핥다 (halt-da)

🇸🇦 يلعق (yal'aq)

🇨🇿 líznout

🇸🇰 lízať

🇨🇳 舔 (tiǎn)

🇸🇮 lizati

🇮🇸 sleikja

🇰🇿 жалау

🇬🇪 ლოკვა (lok'va)

🇦🇿 yalamaq

🇲🇽 lamer

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,164, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
15161 footed
15162 camped
15163 devour
15164 lick
15165 solace
15166 paraphrase
15167 ling
...