licking

UK: /ˈlɪkɪŋ/ US: (lik′ing)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lick•ing  (lik′ing), n. 

1. [Informal.]
   • a beating or thrashing.
   • a reversal or disappointment;
     defeat or setback.
2. the act of a person or thing that licks.

• 1350–1400; Middle English; see lick, -ing¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

licking / ˈlɪkɪŋ/ noun

1. a beating
2. a defeat

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

lick /lɪk/   v. 

1. Physiology to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat: [~ + object]
   to lick a postage stamp.
   [no object]
   The cat was licking at its fur.
2. to cause to become by stroking with the tongue:
   [~ + object] to lick a spoon clean.
3. (of waves, flames, etc.) to pass or play lightly over: [~ + object]
   The waves licked the shore.
   [no object]
   The flames licked at the roof.
4. Informal Terms [~ + object]
   • to hit or beat, esp. as a punishment;
     thrash.
   • to defeat:
     We licked their team fair and square.
5. lick up, to lap up: [~ + up + object]
   The cat licked up her milk.
   [~ + object + up]
   She licked it up.

n. [countable]

6. a stroke of the tongue over something:
   a quick lick of the tongue.
7. Informal Terms
   • a blow:
     a few licks with a cane.
   • a brief, brisk burst of activity or energy.
   • a small amount:
     haven't done a lick of work.
8. Music and Dance Usually, licks. [plural] a musical phrase, as by a jazz soloist in improvising.

Idioms

9. Idioms last licks, a final turn or opportunity.
10. Idioms lick and a promise, a quick and usually sloppy or not careful performance of a chore.
11. lick one's lips, to move the tongue over one's lips in greedy anticipation.
12. Idioms lick one's wounds, to attempt to heal or comfort oneself after injury or defeat.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lick  (lik), v.t. 

1. Physiology to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat (often fol. by up, off, from, etc.): to lick a postage stamp;
   to lick an ice-cream cone.
2. to make, or cause to become, by stroking with the tongue:
   to lick a spoon clean.
3. (of waves, flames, etc.) to pass or play lightly over:
   The flame licked the dry timber.
4. Informal Terms Informal.
   • to hit or beat, esp. as a punishment;
     thrash;
     whip.
   • to overcome or defeat, as in a fight, game, or contest.
   • to outdo or surpass.

v.i. 

5. to move quickly or lightly.
6. Idioms, Slang Terms lick ass, Slang (vulgar ). See kiss (def. 10).
7. Idioms lick into shape, Informal. to bring to completion or perfection through discipline, hard work, etc.:
   They needed another rehearsal to lick the production into shape.
8. Idioms lick one's chops. See chop ³ (def. 7).
9. Idioms lick one's wounds. See wound¹ (def. 4).
10. Idioms lick the dust. See dust (def. 16).
11. lick up, to lap up;
    devour greedily.

n. 

12. a stroke of the tongue over something.
13. as much as can be taken up by one stroke of the tongue.
14. See salt lick. 
15. Informal Terms Informal.
    • a blow.
    • a brief, brisk burst of activity or energy.
    • a quick pace or clip;
      speed.
    • a small amount: I haven't done a lick of work all week.
16. Usually, licks. a critical or complaining remark.
17. Music and Dance Usually, licks.[Jazz Slang.] a musical phrase, as by a soloist in improvising.
18. Idioms last licks, a final turn or opportunity:
    We got in our last licks on the tennis court before the vacation ended.
19. Idioms lick and a promise, a hasty and perfunctory performance in doing something:
    I didn't have time to clean thoroughly, so I gave the room a lick and a promise.

• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English liccian, cognate with Old Saxon liccōn, Old High German leckōn; akin to Go bilaigon, Latin lingere, Greek leíchein to lick (up)

lick′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 15. a . thwack, thump, rap, slap, cuff, buffet.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lick / lɪk/ verb

1. (transitive) to pass the tongue over, esp in order to taste or consume
2. to flicker or move lightly over or round (something): the flames licked around the door
3. (transitive) to defeat or vanquish
4. to flog or thrash
5. to be or do much better than
6. lick into shape ⇒ to put into a satisfactory condition: from the former belief that bear cubs were born formless and had to be licked into shape by their mother
7. lick one's wounds ⇒ to retire after a defeat or setback in order to husband one's resources
8. lick the boots of ⇒
   See boot115

noun

1. an instance of passing the tongue over something
2. a small amount: a lick of paint
3. Also called: salt lick a block of compressed salt or chemical matter provided for domestic animals to lick for medicinal and nutritional purposes
4. a hit; blow
5. a short musical phrase, usually on one instrument
6. speed; rate of movement: he was going at quite a lick when he hit it
7. a lick and a promise ⇒ something hastily done, esp a hurried wash

Etymology: Old English liccian; related to Old High German leckon, Latin lingere, Greek leikhein

ˈlicker noun