Word
licked
US/ˈɫɪkt/
UK/lˈɪkt/
Definition
adj. tired or defeated. You use this when you feel completely exhausted or when you have lost a fight or competition.
adj. exhausted, worn out, or soundly defeated. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'look' to describe a state of total fatigue or failure.
Examples
“After the long hike, I am completely licked.”
“The team looked licked after the third goal, losing their energy and focus for the rest of the match.”
“He walked into the office looking thoroughly licked, his shoulders slumped from a week of failed negotiations and sleepless nights spent reviewing the contract.”
Examples
simple
“After the long hike, I am completely licked.”
contextual
“The team looked licked after the third goal, losing their energy and focus for the rest of the match.”
complex
“He walked into the office looking thoroughly licked, his shoulders slumped from a week of failed negotiations and sleepless nights spent reviewing the contract.”
Usage
Typically follows a linking verb; informal or colloquial in tone.
Real-World Examples
“Some wagged their tails as people approached, licked their hands and even liked to be petted.” “Small flames licked around the base of blackened trees a few metres away as they worked, while in another part of the woods several trees lit up quickly with no warning.” “Although its bouquet was negligible, its distinct metallic aftertaste evoked memories of tin cans one had licked experimentally in the first flush of childhood's curiosity.” “I didn’t see it coming, that mild feeling of electric currents buzzing on my tongue as if I’d licked a battery.” - 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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