- 1[transitive] to move your tongue over the surface of something in order to eat it, make it wet, or clean it lick something He licked his fingers. I'm tired of licking envelopes. The cat sat licking its paws. lick something + adj. She licked the spoon clean.
- 2[transitive] lick something + adv./prep. to eat or drink something by licking it The cat licked up the milk. She licked the honey off the spoon.
- 3[transitive, intransitive] (of flames) to touch something lightly lick something Flames were soon licking the curtains. lick at something The flames were now licking at their feet.
- 4[transitive] lick somebody/something (informal) to easily defeat someone or deal with something We thought we had them licked. It was a tricky problem but I think we've licked it. Idioms
- 1to move your tongue over your lips, especially before eating something good
- 2(informal) to show that you are excited about something and want it to happen soon They were licking their lips at the thought of clinching the deal.
lick
verbNAmE//lɪk//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they lick he / she / it licks
past simple licked
-ing form licking
to train someone so that they do a particular job, task, etc. well It took him just two weeks to whip the new recruits into shape.
to make something more acceptable, organized, or successful I've got all the information together but it still needs to be knocked into shape. It shouldn't take long to get the company back into shape.
to show too much respect for someone in authority because you want to please them
to spend time trying to get your strength or confidence back after a defeat or disappointment Leeds are still licking their wounds after their humiliating defeat by Grimsby.
Check pronunciation: lick