Word
licking
Phoneticslick·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫɪkɪŋ/
UK/lˈɪkɪŋ/
Definitions
01act of using the tongue
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the act of touching something with your tongue.
n. the action of passing the tongue over a surface.
“The dog gave his owner a friendly licking on the hand.”
“The child watched the cat's rhythmic licking of its paws, fascinated by the animal's meticulous grooming routine.”
Synonyms
02a defeat
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a bad loss in a game, fight, or competition.
n. a decisive or humiliating defeat in a contest or conflict.
“Our team took a real licking in the final game of the season.”
“After the company took a financial licking in the first quarter, the board of directors demanded a complete overhaul of the marketing strategy.”
03a physical beating
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Archaic
n. a physical punishment where someone is hit many times.
n. a severe physical beating or thrashing administered as punishment.
“In the old story, the boy was threatened with a licking for his lies.”
“The historical novel describes a time when a schoolmaster might give a student a licking for even the slightest infraction of the rules.”
Real-World Examples
“With Republicans licking their wounds, he may try to make a similar argument to the powers in Washington and the American public.” “He found melt holes venting like hot springs, and flames licking at the foot of white-encrusted trees in the muskeg bogs.” Idioms
- 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 C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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