English Reference

Word

sucking

Phoneticssuck·ing

US/ˈsəkɪŋ/

UK/sˈʌkɪŋ/

Definitions

01pulling in liquid

A2

v. the act of pulling liquid or air into your mouth using your muscles.

v. the action of drawing something into the mouth by creating a vacuum with the lips and tongue.

“The child was sucking juice through a straw while watching cartoons.”

“The infant remained calm while sucking on the pacifier, eventually falling into a deep sleep despite the noise in the room.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02being very bad

B2

v. used to say that something is very bad, annoying, or disappointing.

v. functioning as a participle to describe a situation, object, or person as being of extremely poor quality or highly disagreeable.

“I am tired of this sucking weather ruining our weekend plans.”

“He complained about his sucking luck after missing the train by only a few seconds for the third time this week.”

Informal · Slang

Synonyms

Antonyms

03the act or sound

B2

n. the physical act or the sound made when someone sucks something.

n. the instance or auditory manifestation of suction.

“The loud sucking sound from the drain meant the water was finally gone.”

“The rhythmic sucking of the pump was the only sound audible in the quiet laboratory during the experiment.”

Synonyms

04drinking mother's milk

C2

adj. describing a young animal or baby that is still drinking its mother's milk.

adj. referring to an unweaned infant or young animal still nourished by its mother's milk.

“The farmer looked after the sucking calves in the barn.”

“The ancient text described the protection of sucking lambs during the harsh winter months on the hillside.”

Archaic · Literary

Synonyms

nursingsuckling

Antonyms

Word family

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference