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kick

n. countable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkɪk// UK //kˈɪk// kick Archaic General-service Informal Slang

n. a hit or strike with your foot. It can also mean a sudden feeling of excitement or energy.

n. a blow or forceful thrust made with the foot. In informal contexts, it refers to a sudden surge of pleasure, excitement, or the stimulating effect of a substance.


SIMPLE

He gave the ball a powerful kick.

CONTEXTUAL

I get a real kick out of watching old movies on a rainy afternoon.

COMPLEX

The spicy sauce provides a sharp kick that balances the richness of the cream, though it may be too intense for some palates.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English kyken (“to strike out with the foot”), from Old Norse kikna (“to sink at the knees”) and keikja (“to bend backwards”) (compare Old Norse keikr (“bent backwards, the belly jutting forward”)), from Proto-Germanic kaikaz (“bent backwards”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Germanic kī-, kij- (“to split, dodge, swerve sidewards”), from Proto-Indo-European ǵeyH- (“to sprout, shoot”). Compare also Dutch kijken (“to look”), Middle Low German kīken (“to look, watch”). See keek.

Etymology 2

Shortening of kick the bucket.

Etymology 3

Shortening of kick ass

Usage

Often used in the idiomatic phrase 'get a kick out of' to describe enjoying an activity.

Pitfall

He gave a kick to the doorHe gave the door a kickWhile both are grammatically possible, 'give [object] a kick' is the more natural idiomatic structure in English.

Idioms35 entries

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