tick
word
Definition
A tick is a small animal that bites and attaches to the skin of people or animals. It can also mean a short repeated sound like a clock makes, or the act of marking a box on a list or form.
Usage & Nuances
This word has several unrelated meanings, so context matters a lot. For the animal, English usually says 'a tick bit me' or 'remove a tick'. For the sound, common phrases are 'the tick of a clock' or 'clock ticking'. In British English, 'tick' can also mean a check mark; American English more often says 'check' for the mark itself, though 'tick the box' is understood.
Example Sentences
I found a tick on my dog's ear.
basic
I can hear the tick of the kitchen clock.
basic
Please tick the right answer.
basic
The silence was so deep that I could hear every tick from the clock.
natural
Don't forget to tick the box if you want email updates.
natural
After the hike, we checked our legs for ticks.
natural