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Definitions

lick

[lik] / lɪk /
NOUN
light touch; little amount
Synonyms
STRONG
bit brush cast dab dash hint sample smack speck stroke suggestion taste tinge trace whiff
Antonyms
STRONG
a lot glob
VERB
touch with tongue
Synonyms
STRONGEST
caress fondle graze rub soothe wash
STRONG
brush calm glance gloss lap osculate play quiet ripple stroke sweep taste tongue touch
WEAK
lap against move over pass over
VERB
play over with fire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
run over
STRONG
blaze burn dart flick flicker fluctuate flutter ignite kindle leap palpitate quiver ripple shoot touch tremble vacillate vibrate waver
VERB
defeat, sometimes by hitting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
slap
STRONG
beat best clobber conquer down excel flog hit hurdle lambaste master outdo outstrip overcome overwhelm rout smear smother spank strike surmount surpass thrash throw top trim trounce vanquish wallop whip
Antonyms
STRONG
fail fall behind forfeit give in give up lose retreat surrender yield

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"But the larger ants seemed to seek the attention of the smaller ants by first visiting their nests and then allowing the small ants to lick and nibble all over them."

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

People Before Profit assembly member Gerry Carroll said the canteen "needed a lick of paint and a bit more" but there were "huge questions" over the level of spending.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Nothing seems to ruffle his fur as this political veteran glides from crisis to crisis with feline calm, and the lick of a paw.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

Since Bad Bunny released his debut album in 2018, he has entranced millions of fans who don’t know a lick of Spanish.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

And I never was able to swim a lick.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant

Vocabulary lists containing lick

Novel Study: Fences, Introduction and Act 1

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!