C1verbinformal1K

Suck

UK /["/sʌk/","/sʌks/","/sʌkt/","/ˈsʌkɪŋ/"]/US /["/sʌk/","/sʌks/","/sʌkt/","/ˈsʌkɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to take liquid, air, etc. into your mouth by using the muscles of your lips

In simple words: To draw in air or liquid through the mouth.

Examples

  • Babies need to suck on a pacifier to soothe themselves.
  • The vacuum cleaner sucks up all the dust from the carpet.
  • Some plants, like mistletoe, suck nutrients from their host trees.
  • I really suck at playing chess, but I’m trying to improve.
  • The concert was amazing, but the traffic afterward totally sucked.
  • If you suck on a lemon, you'll experience a sour taste.
  • He had to suck the poison from the wound to treat the snake bite.
  • She hates it when her team sucks during important games.

Usage notes

Used commonly in casual conversations. Can be inappropriate in formal contexts. Often used to express dislike (e.g., 'This movie sucks').

Grammar pattern

suck + object

Memory hint

Imagine a vacuum cleaner sucking up dirt; it helps to remember 'suck' means to draw in.

Collocations

  • noisily
  • away
  • in
  • at
  • from
  • on
  • noisily
  • away
  • in
  • at
  • from
  • on
  • noisily
  • away
  • in
  • at
  • from
  • on
  • noisily
  • away
  • in
  • at
  • from
  • on

Synonyms

  • inhale
  • draw
  • gobble
  • slurp
  • suckle

Antonyms

  • blow
  • spit

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'sack' as a noun.
  • Using in a formal context.
  • Incorrectly conjugating the verb (e.g., 'sucked' instead of 'sucks').