Standard Lemma guide

lickety-split

adv · 1 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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1

adv

Meaning 1

Quickly; as fast as possible; in short order.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • At the sound of the starting gun, they were off and running lickety-split.
  • I need tea right now, lickety-split.
  • For quotations using this term, see Citations:lickety.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

First attested during the 19th century, in the US, equivalent to lickedy + split, perhaps as a reference to the flick or darting of a snake's forked tongue. The forms lickety-cut and licketie are similarly attested; and forms with t are likely due to Scottish influence.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: al toque — Translations
  • Spanish: enseguida — Translations
  • Spanish: seguidamente — Translations
  • Spanish: de seguida — Translations
  • Spanish: en un pispás — Translations
  • Spanish: en un santiamén — Translations
  • Spanish: en un periquete — Translations