tick

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A small mark, often a check symbol, used to show that something is correct or has been done.

   Grammar: Countable; you can say 'put a tick' or 'a tick next to'.

   Patterns

   • put a tick next to something
   • a tick in the box

   Put a tick next to the answer you think is right.

   The teacher placed a tick at the top of each correct page.

   I got a tick for every question I answered correctly.

2. 2nouncountablebiology

   A tiny blood-feeding creature that attaches to the skin of people and animals and can spread disease.

   Grammar: Countable; plural 'ticks'. Often used with 'bite' or 'carry'.

   Patterns

   • a tick bite
   • ticks carry disease

   After hiking, check your skin for ticks.

   A tick can transmit Lyme disease to humans.

   The dog had a tick behind its ear.

3. 3nouncountable

   A light, repeated sound made by a clock or watch.

   Grammar: Countable; usually singular in this sense, often with 'the'.

   Patterns

   • the tick of a clock
   • the tick of a watch

   The only sound in the room was the tick of the old clock.

   She waited for the tick of the timer to signal the end.

   I could hear the tick of my watch in the quiet room.

4. 4verbtransitive

   To mark something with a small symbol to show it is correct or chosen.

   Grammar: Takes an object: tick the box. Often used with 'off' in British English: tick off the items.

   Patterns

   • tick a box
   • tick something off

   Please tick the box if you agree to the terms.

   She ticked off each item as she packed.

   Tick the correct answer on the form.

5. 5verbintransitive

   To make a light, repeated clicking sound, as a clock does.

   Grammar: No object; often used with 'away' to show time passing.

   Patterns

   • the clock ticks
   • tick away

   The clock ticked loudly in the silent room.

   Time is ticking away; we need to decide.

   The old watch ticked steadily on the shelf.

Word forms

Common combinations

tick the box

Tick the box next to the correct answer.

tick off

She ticked off each name as the students arrived.

tick bite

A tick bite can cause a red rash.

the tick of a clock

The tick of the clock kept her awake.

Synonyms and how they differ

check mark

The usual American term for the symbol; 'tick' is standard in British English.

mark

A more general word for any written symbol; 'tick' is specifically a check symbol.

click

A short sound; 'tick' is lighter and more regular, like a clock.

Word family

tick verb

To mark with a tick or make a ticking sound.

ticking noun

The sound a clock makes, or the action of marking.

Commonly confused: tick or tic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “tick”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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