kick / kik/ • v. 1. [tr.] strike or propel forcibly with the foot: police kicked down the door. ∎  [intr.] strike out or flail with the foot or feet: she kicked out at him | [tr.] he kicked his feet free of a vine. ∎  [tr.] (kick oneself) be annoyed with oneself for doing something foolish or missing an opportunity. ∎  [tr.] ( in football, rugby, etc) score (a goal) by a kick. ∎  [intr.] (of a gun) recoil when fired. 2. [tr.] inf. succeed in giving up (a habit or addiction).• n. 1. a blow or forceful thrust with the foot: a kick in the head. ∎  (in sports) an instance of striking the ball with the foot: Ball blasted the kick wide. ∎  the recoil of a gun when discharged. ∎  a sudden forceful jolt: the shuttle accelerated with a kick. 2. [in sing.] inf. the sharp stimulant effect of something, esp. alcohol. ∎  a thrill of pleasurable, often reckless excitement: rich kids turning to crime just for kicks. ∎  a specified temporary interest or enthusiasm: the jogging kick.PHRASES: kick someone’s ass (or butt) vulgar slang beat, dominate, or defeat someone.PHRASAL VERBS: kick back inf. be at leisure; relax.kick in (esp. of a device or drug) become activated; come into effect.kick off (of a football game, soccer game, etc.) be started or resumed after a score by a player kicking the ball from a designated spot. ∎  (of a team or player) begin or resume a game in this way. ∎ inf. (of an event) begin.kick something offinf. begin something: the presidential primary kicks off the political year.DERIVATIVES: kick·a·ble adj.kick² • n. archaic an indentation in the bottom of a glass bottle, diminishing the internal capacity.