# licked

/ˈɫɪkt/ (US) · /lˈɪkt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/licked
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

tired or defeated. You use this when you feel completely exhausted or when you have lost a fight or competition.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Typically follows a linking verb; informal or colloquial in tone.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.