Tongue: meaning, definitions and examples

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tongue

[tʌŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

human anatomy

The fleshy muscular organ in the mouth of a human, used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking.

Synonyms

language, speech organ, taste organ.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tongue	Used informally to refer to a language or way of speaking, often in phrases involving idioms or expressions. She speaks with a silver tongue. The writer has a unique and poetic tongue.
language	Used to describe a system of communication used by a particular country or community. She is fluent in three languages. Learning a new language can be challenging.
speech organ	Used in a more scientific or technical context to refer to any part of the body involved in producing speech, not just the tongue, but also the lips, teeth, and vocal cords. The vocal cords are an essential speech organ. Speech organs are crucial for verbal communication.
taste organ	Specifically used to refer to the tongue in its function of tasting. The taste organ has various taste buds for different flavors. Her taste organ was sensitive to spicy food.

Examples of usage

He stuck out his tongue at the doctor.
She accidentally bit her tongue while eating.
I burned my tongue on the hot soup.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

animal anatomy

An analogous organ in other animals used for licking, grooming, and conveying food.

Synonyms

licker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tongue	This word has no different spellings or meanings in this list, being identical to the first entry. This example would be the same as the first entry because it's the exact same word without difference
licker	This term is very informal and rarely used. It may have a playful or slightly humorous connotation but can be perceived as immature in adult conversations. The dog is such a licker! He never stops licking my face

Word

Description / Examples

tongue

This word has no different spellings or meanings in this list, being identical to the first entry.

This example would be the same as the first entry because it's the exact same word without difference

licker

This term is very informal and rarely used. It may have a playful or slightly humorous connotation but can be perceived as immature in adult conversations.

The dog is such a licker! He never stops licking my face

Examples of usage

The dog licked its wounds with its tongue.
The giraffe's long tongue helps it reach leaves on tall trees.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

informal

To touch or lick with the tongue.

Synonyms

lap, lick.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tongue	Use when referring to the muscle in the mouth that helps with tasting, swallowing, and speaking. He accidentally bit his tongue while eating. You can taste the sweetness with your tongue.
lick	Use when referring to passing the tongue over something. It can sometimes have a playful or casual connotation, but may be seen as impolite or inappropriate depending on the context. He licked the ice cream cone as it started to melt. The dog licked her face in affection.
lap	Use when referring to the area between the knees and the hips of a person when they are seated. Also used for a complete trip around a race track. The child sat on her father's lap. She completed the final lap of the race.

Word

Description / Examples

tongue

Use when referring to the muscle in the mouth that helps with tasting, swallowing, and speaking.

He accidentally bit his tongue while eating.
You can taste the sweetness with your tongue.

lick

Use when referring to passing the tongue over something. It can sometimes have a playful or casual connotation, but may be seen as impolite or inappropriate depending on the context.

He licked the ice cream cone as it started to melt.
The dog licked her face in affection.

lap

Use when referring to the area between the knees and the hips of a person when they are seated. Also used for a complete trip around a race track.

The child sat on her father's lap.
She completed the final lap of the race.

Examples of usage

The cat tongue its fur to clean itself.
He tongue the envelope to seal it.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'tongue' comes from the Old English 'tunge,' which has roots in Germanic languages.
In Latin, the word for tongue is 'lingua,' which is also the source of many words related to language and speaking.

Biology

The surface of the tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae, which hold taste buds for different flavors.
The tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body relative to its size, playing a crucial role in digestion and speech.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, sticking out your tongue can mean different things – it might show disrespect or be a playful gesture!
Tongue twisters, like 'She sells sea shells,' are used in language training to improve pronunciation and fluency.

Psychology

The tongue's movements are linked to brain activity; when people speak, their tongue and brain work closely together.
People often develop a strong association between taste and memory, leading to 'taste memories' that can evoke emotions.

Literature

The phrase 'tongue in cheek' is used to describe something said humorously or insincerely, often in storytelling.
In poetry, the tongue can symbolize communication and the power of words, reflecting the importance of speech in human experience.

Translations

Translations of the word "tongue" in other languages:

🇵🇹 língua

🇮🇳 जीभ

🇩🇪 Zunge

🇮🇩 lidah

🇺🇦 язик

🇵🇱 język

🇯🇵 舌 (した)

🇫🇷 langue

🇪🇸 lengua

🇹🇷 dil

🇰🇷 혀 (hyeo)

🇸🇦 لسان

🇨🇿 jazyk

🇸🇰 jazyk

🇨🇳 舌头 (shétou)

🇸🇮 jezik

🇮🇸 tunga

🇰🇿 тіл

🇬🇪 ენა

🇦🇿 dil

🇲🇽 lengua

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,818, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2815 murder
2816 expensive
2817 thrown
2818 tongue
2819 acted
2820 priority
2821 shock
...