name · noun · verb · 28 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American, Received-Pronunciation:/lɪk/
rhymes with -ɪk
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:L IH1 K
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
name
Meaning 1
A surname.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The act of licking; a stroke of the tongue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The cat gave its fur a lick.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The amount of some substance obtainable with a single lick.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Give me a lick of ice cream.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A quick and careless application of anything, as if by a stroke of the tongue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a lick of paint
to put on colours with a lick of the brush
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A place where animals lick minerals from the ground.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The birds gathered at the clay lick.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A small watercourse or ephemeral stream. It ranks between a rill and a stream.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
We used to play in the lick.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
A stroke or blow.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial
Examples
Hit that wedge a good lick with the sledgehammer.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
A small amount; a whit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
A short motif.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
There are some really good blues licks in this solo.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
A rate of speed. (Always qualified by good, fair, or a similar adjective.)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
Examples
The bus was travelling at a good lick when it swerved and left the road.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
An act of cunnilingus.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
Examples
You up for a lick tonight?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
noun
Meaning 13
An instance or opportunity to earn money fast, usually by illegal means, thus a heist, drug deal etc. or its victim; mostly used in phrasal verbs: hit a lick, hit licks
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
verb
Meaning 14
To stroke with the tongue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
The cat licked its fur.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
verb
Meaning 15
To lap; to take in with the tongue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
She licked the last of the honey off the spoon before washing it.
Jim closed his eyes and licked his vanilla ice cream cone.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
verb
Meaning 16
To beat with repeated blows.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial, dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
verb
Meaning 17
To defeat decisively, particularly in a fight.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial, dated
Examples
My dad can lick your dad.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
18
verb
Meaning 18
To overcome.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial, dated
Examples
I think I can lick this.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
19
verb
Meaning 19
To perform cunnilingus.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang, vulgar
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
20
verb
Meaning 20
To do anything partially.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: colloquial
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
21
verb
Meaning 21
To lap.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: waves etc.
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.