French word

lécher

Pronunciation

IPA/leʃe/

Meaning

  • verblick

Example

Le chien veut lécher ta main.

The dog wants to lick your hand.

Illustration for lécher (lick)

More examples

La balle a léché son épaule.

The bullet grazed his shoulder.

Core concept

The tongue acts like a small wet brush that skims a surface; the same motion describes a light brush or near miss.

Common phrases

  • lécher une enveloppe

    lick an envelope

  • lécher une glace

    lick an ice cream

  • se lécher les lèvres

    lick one's lips

Similar words

goûter: To take a small amount into the mouth to check its flavor.
embrasser: To press one's lips to another person in affection or greeting.

Definition in French

Passer la langue sur une surface pour en enlever des résidus, l'humidifier ou en recueillir le goût; au sens figuré, frôler légèrement.

Word origin

Old French lechier and leschier developed into modern lécher from a Gallo-Romance form associated with Latin lambere, meaning to lick.

Usage tips

  • In se lécher les doigts and se lécher les lèvres, French uses the definite article for the body part after the reflexive pronoun.

Other meanings

  • grazeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • léchagelickingnoun
  • léchépolishedadjective

Word lists with this word