Word
kicking
Phoneticskick·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɪkɪŋ/
UK/kˈɪkɪŋ/
Definitions
01hitting with the foot
A1 · Beginner
v. the action of hitting something with your foot, often used when talking about sports or moving things.
v. the present participle of 'kick', describing the act of striking out with the foot.
“The children were kicking a ball around the park all afternoon.”
“The athlete focused on kicking the heavy bag with consistent force to improve his lower-body power and balance.”
02a physical attack
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a violent attack where someone is hit many times with feet.
n. a violent assault characterized by repeated strikes with the feet.
“The victim was lucky to escape without serious injury after the kicking.”
“The witness described a brutal kicking in the alleyway, prompting the police to launch a full-scale investigation into the gang's activities.”
03exciting or fashionable
B2 · Upper Intermediate Slang · Informal
adj. very good, exciting, or stylish.
adj. describing something as excellent, fashionable, or highly enjoyable.
“That new club downtown has a kicking sound system.”
“She showed up to the party in a kicking new outfit that immediately became the talk of the evening.”
04active and healthy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adj. full of energy and life, usually used in the phrase 'alive and kicking'.
adj. functioning vigorously; most commonly appearing in the fixed idiom 'alive and kicking' to denote health or continued existence.
“Despite the rumors that the business had closed, it is still alive and kicking.”
“My grandfather is eighty years old and still alive and kicking, regularly participating in local walking marathons.”
Real-World Examples
“Then some early promise – without even kicking a ball, by 5pm on Saturday they had risen up a whole quarter of the table, to 15th.” “All of the gas that’s drilled in the North Sea is used in this country and Labour has been kicking this decision into the long grass because their heart’s not really in it.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
02. kicking boots
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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