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lick

 
 
pronunciation:
lIk
parts of speech:
transitive verb, noun
phrases:
lick into shape, with a lick and a promise
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: licks, licking, licked
definition 1: to pass the tongue over or along the surface of.
The dog licked the boy's face.
 
synonyms:
tongue
similar words:
lap, moisten, taste, wet
definition 2: to use the tongue to bring into the mouth or eat away at (sometimes fol. by "off" or "up").
The dog licked up the gravy that spilled on the floor.She licked off the whipped cream that had fallen on her plate.The child licked her ice cream happily.
synonyms:
lap
similar words:
nibble, sip, slurp, suck, taste, tongue
definition 3: of flames, waves, and the like, to reach toward or pass lightly over.
The flames licked the edges of the wood.
synonyms:
graze, lap
similar words:
brush, caress, nibble, tongue, touch
definition 4: (informal) to beat or thrash in punishment.
His father licked him for stealing.
synonyms:
beat, drub, shellac, tan, thrash, trounce, wallop
similar words:
birch, cane, clobber, flog, hide, hit, smack, spank, switch, whip
definition 5: (informal) to outdo or defeat, as if in a fight.
She licked her opponent easily.
synonyms:
beat, clobber, conquer, defeat, drub, rout, shellac, thrash, trounce, wallop
similar words:
outdo, overpower, subdue, upset, vanquish, whip
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: lick into shape
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the act or process of licking with the tongue.
She gave the envelope a lick and sealed it.
synonyms:
lap
similar words:
taste
definition 2: an amount brought to the mouth by the tongue in one pass.
Can I have a lick of your ice cream?
synonyms:
lap
similar words:
nibble, taste
definition 3: an area where salt is exposed and animals come to lick it; salt lick.
synonyms:
salt lick
definition 4: (informal) a cuff or slap; blow.
Be careful with what you say, or you'll get a lick.
synonyms:
blow, cuff, punch, slap, smack, spank, swat, whack
similar words:
buffet, hit, rap, thump, wallop
definition 5: (informal) even a small amount.
He hasn't done a lick of work.
synonyms:
bit, dab, iota, modicum, scintilla, shred, smidgen, speck, touch
similar words:
mite, scrap, smack, smattering, soupçon, taste, trace
definition 6: (usu. pl.) strong criticism.
synonyms:
rap, rebuke, slam, slap
similar words:
censure, criticism, denunciation, disapproval
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: with a lick and a promise
derivation: licker (n.)
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  dog, drink