26984 words

lick

11 definitions • 11 examples
1
to move the tongue across the surface of something:

Examples:

He licked the chocolate off his fingers.
She licked the stamps and stuck them on the parcel.
2
If flames or waves lick something, they pass over it quickly or touch it lightly like a tongue:

Examples:

lick at Within a few seconds flames were licking at the curtains.
3
to defeat easily in a competition, fight, etc.:

Examples:

We'll lick the other teams.
4
the act of hitting someone with something such as a whip
5
at a fast speed:

Examples:

The trains go by at a hell of a lick.
6

Examples:

lick of paint The living room could do with a lick of paint.
All you need to get started is a rented surfboard and a lick of sunscreen.
7
in jazz or rock music, a short series of notes played by one musician
8
the action of licking something:

Examples:

have a lick Can I have a lick of your ice cream?
9
to move the tongue across the surface of something as a way of eating it or making it wet or clean:

Examples:

[ T ] to lick a stamp/lollipop
10
to defeat someone or something, or to solve a difficult problem:

Examples:

He has licked the cancer.
11

Examples:

Chuck couldn’t read a lick.

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