Tick Definition & Meaning

tick
noun
  1. a metallic tapping sound; "he counted the ticks of the clock"
  2. any of two families of small parasitic arachnids with barbed proboscis; feed on blood of warm-blooded animals
  3. a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.; "as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name"
  4. a light mattress
verb
  1. make a clicking or ticking sound; "The clock ticked away"
  2. make a sound like a clock or a timer; "the clocks were ticking"; "the grandfather clock beat midnight"
  3. sew; "tick a mattress"
  4. put a check mark on or near or next to; "Please check each name on the list"; "tick off the items"; "mark off the units"

Synonyms for tick

beat adj

very tired; "was all in at the end of the day"; "so beat I could flop down and go to sleep anywhere

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
click noun

a short light metallic sound a stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu) a hinged catch

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
ticking noun

a metallic tapping sound; "he counted the ticks of the clock" a strong fabric used for mattress and pillow covers

♫ Rhymes
ticktack noun

system of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks make a sound like a clock or a timer

♫ Rhymes
ticktock noun

steady recurrent ticking sound as made by a clock make a sound like a clock or a timer; "the clocks were ticking

♫ Rhymes

"Tick" in song lyrics

See how tick is used in real songs:

  • "It's always gonna tick"
    The 49ers — Mesmerized
  • "If you knew what makes me tick"
    Aceyalone — The Grandfather Clock
  • "Cause see, I tick like time and man I time like tick"
    Dre Dog (Andre Nickatina) — Cobra Status

Words that rhyme with tick

See all rhymes for tick →

Usage tips for "tick"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "tick" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for tick to find words that pair well.

Use "tick" in a verse

Now that you know what "tick" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Explore more

♫ Rhymes with tick ↔ Synonyms for tick 🔬 Words containing tick

Frequently asked questions

What does tick mean?
a metallic tapping sound; "he counted the ticks of the clock" any of two families of small parasitic arachnids with barbed proboscis; feed on blood of warm-blooded animals a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.; "as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name" a light mattress make a clicking or ticking sound; "The clock ticked away" make a sound like a clock or a timer; "the clocks were ticking"; "the grandfather clock beat midnight" sew
What part of speech is tick?
Tick is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does tick have?
Tick has 8 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

Explore More Word Tools

Look up another word